British Swim School Teaches ‘Survival of the Littlest’
Water survival skills save children’s lives.
Wellington, FL – Water overflowed from the giant jet tub, sending toys, soaps and washcloths onto the bathroom floor.
“I dove in expecting to find my little boy Jack at the bottom,” said Wellington father Howie Berkowitz. “It was the longest, most terrifying moment of my life.”
Parents Howie and Sarah Berkowitz realized in that instant – when they saw
then 18-month-old Jack trapped and terrified but alive between the wall and the tub – swimming lessons could mean life or death. And that’s how Jack became one of thousands of local children who graduated from water survival skills class at the British Swim School in Wellington. The program so impressed the couple that they became owners of the 11-year-old swim school.
“We now have the confidence and peace of mind to know Jack can survive if he falls in the water,” Sarah Berkowitz said. “Every day another child learns to float alone and survive, we feel as though we have made a difference.”
‘It happened so fast.’
Berkowitz and his wife were enjoying a typical gathering of parents and friends. The clamor of children running through the house filled the air.
“We were in the kitchen talking to the other parents when everyone realized it was a little too quiet,” Sarah Berkowitz said. “Right then, one of the other children came running in and said, ‘Jack in the water! Jack in the water!'”
Hearts sank and two terrified parents ran for the bathroom. This was every parent’s nightmare scenario.
In the swelling panic of jumping in the tub, no one noticed the soaked little boy had managed to perch himself on a ledge between a wall and the tub, trapped from escaping.
When Jack spoke up, relief and tears flowed like water from the tub.
“You hear about kids at the bottom of a swimming pool. This was a bathroom tub,” the father said. “We just couldn’t believe something like this could happen to us.”
In fact:
• Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Young children can drown in less than two inches of water.
• Deaths from drowning for children under five in Florida have been more than double the national average, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Like many of their friends, they had thought about swimming lessons for their child – especially living in South Florida. But Jack didn’t really take to the backyard pool, and there just never seemed to be time.
After Jack nearly drowned – now was the time.
Survival is more important than swimming
Water survival skills decrease the risk of drowning by 88 percent, according to the CDC.
One of the first lessons the instructor at the British Swim School taught Jack – and his parents – is that knowing how to do the freestyle stroke is not enough. Children must know how to survive in the water long enough to be rescued or save themselves.
The back float is the most important survival skill because it enables all swimmers to rest, breathe and call for help. Babies as young as 3 months can learn to roll over on their backs.
“As instructors, we teach survival skills before swimming. We ensure our students are water safe,” said Stephanie Bachar, the aquatic manager at the British Swim School in Wellington. “Teaching this way encourages confidence in the water and helps students develop into safe swimmers.”
For more than 30 years, British Swim School instructors say they have refined the method of a gradual, gentle and fun learning process. Repetition – and a few songs and games – is also key to this training. Lessons are conducted in an indoor, heated saltwater pool,
In a few months, Jack could jump in, roll on his back and float. He moved up to the Turtle 1 class, which focuses on introductory swimming skills for children who have mastered survival skills.
“It was so amazing to see his progress,” said Howie Berkowitz. “Watching all the children learn how to save themselves had such a powerful impact on the both of us that we had to become part of it all.”
British Swim School offers a host of programs
After taking over the British Swim School Wellington location, tucked into an office park by the popular Village Park, the Berkowitz’s put all their energy into spreading the word about the importance of water survival skills for children.
The school’s premier class is the Swimboree, for ages 3 to 36 months with a parent. There is a maximum of 6 children per class. Focusing on water survival, babies and toddlers are taught through a structured program of songs, games and fun. This class introduces the baby to the water and teaches them to float independently on their back for the first time.
Once this critical skill is mastered, the school offers a host of classes to help with a child’s development, including:
• Young Minnows: (18 months to 3 years without parent) The instructor works one-on-one with each child following the same structure and emphasis on water survival as the Swimboree class.
• Minnow: (Over 3 years old introductory skills) Children participate in this small group class concentrating on fun, safety and independence in the water.
• Turtle One: (Introductory skills) In this small group, children focus on preparing for swim stroke classes by learning the basics of “face-in” breathing, and being able to demonstrate basic “freestyle,” and “backstroke,” propulsion techniques.
• Turtle Two: (Swimming skills) Swimmers focus on the correct arm, leg and breathing coordination for three stokes: Freestyle, Breaststroke, and Backstroke. Swimmers also get an introduction to the butterfly.
• Shark One: (Advanced swimming skills) Swimmers refine their stroke and breathing techniques as well as increasing stamina in all four strokes.
The school also offers adult swim classes, along with private, semi-private and group lessons. Apart from the safety aspect, swimming is also a great form of exercise with overall heart healthy benefits. The school also sends graduates to the local swim team.
And for fun, the Berkowitz’s added birthday party packages, including lifeguards.
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