Questions & Answers
Q: How long will it take my son/daugter to become an accomplished swimmer?
A: Please do not expect your child or yourself to make equal and constant progress with every lesson. Learning to swim is not the easiest of accomplishments for all people. The breathing technique, in particular, can be especially difficult and may take several lessons before the pupil can master it. It is common for pupils, especially children, to appear to make no progress at all at some stage. In fact, they may even regress for several lessons. Please be patient, it will not be for want of trying by the teachers and they understand it is part of the learning process. Parents should try not to convey anxiety over this to their child. We teach them all to swim! Some make rapid progress, some take longer! Your enthusiasm and support for their effort is vital.Q: Now my son/daughter can swim. Can I assume they are safe around the pool on holiday/at the beach in the summer?
A: 'The ability to swim will not, in itself, prevent tragic accidents from occurring in and around water. Young children need to be introduced to all aspects of water safety from an early age to enable them to enjoy the pleasures which water can bring, but with sufficient knowledge to ensure their safety.Please, never leave your child unattended around water.
Q: I wear glasses/contacts. Can I wear them in the swimming pool?
A: When possible, glasses need to be removed when entering the pool to avoid damage to the glasses. Contacts may be worn with goggles.Q: Is chlorinated water damaging to hair?
A: It is advisable to shampoo and condition hair after leaving the pool. Hair becomes dry and brittle from prolonged exposure to pool water. Also, hair that has been artificially lightened may have a tendency to take on a slight greenish highlight when exposed to pool water for many hours over many weeks. In such cases, you may want to use a bathing cap. Ask your salon about a conditioner that is mild enough to keep in your hair for several hours at a time, covered with a bathing cap. This will help prevent your hair from absorbing chemically treated pool water.Q: When I open my eyes underwater everything is blurry and the chlorine burns my eyes. Is there any way that I can solve this problem?
A: Based on the normal standard of 20/20, vision underwater is 20/400 without the aid of goggles or a mask. Most states consider persons with 20/200 vision to be legally blind. The use of goggles will restore normal vision while underwater. They also protect the eyes from the irritating effects of chlorinated water. You will be loaned a pair of custom fit goggles at the beginning of your first program.Q: I've heard about a condition called "swimmer's ear." Can you tell me more about it?
A: Swimmer's ear is a very painful inflammation of the outer ear canal. If water remains in the ear canal for many hours, conditions become conducive for the growth of bacteria. It is not a common occurrence, however. Students should be sure that the ear canal is free of water after leaving the pool. Commercially prepared solutions like SWIM SEAL is available at most pharmacies as a non-prescription remedy and may be needed for those who find that their ears do not readily drain. If you cannot remove all of the water from your ear this can often be a symptom of wax buildup in the outer ear canal.Q: Is it OK to eat before going swimming?
A: One should eat lightly before any physical activity simply for comfort. There is no such thing as a stomach cramp in the pool after eating.Q: How come some people can float so much better than I can?
A: With few exceptions, everyone floats, however most people think they are the exception and 99% are not. The degree of buoyancy is dependent upon several factors: the ratio of fatty to muscle tissue, the amount of bone mass and lung capacity. Generally speaking, the elderly, women, and persons who are not physically fit have a tendency to float better because they have a higher fat to muscle tissue ratio even if they are very slim. Also, fully inflated lungs will enhance buoyancy tremendously.Q: When are you allowed into the water?
A: Pupils should enter the pool only when instructed to do so by the teacher.Q: How must you enter the water?
A: Safely and slowly down the steps or sit and swivel into the pool.Q: Are you allowed to run around the poolside?
A: No.Q: Are you allowed to throw the swimming aids?
A: No.Q: Are you allowed to bit or chew the swimming aids?
A: No.Q: Are you allowed to relieve yourself in the pool?
A: No.Q: Are you allowed to push people into the pool?
A: No.Q: Are you allowed to eat sweets when you are in the water?
A: No.Q: Why should you walk and not run on the poolside?
A: Running is dangerous on the poolside as it may be slippery and is likely to result in a person slipping and falling which may cause injury.Q: When would you go to the toilet?
A: Pupils should go to the toilet prior to the lesson and ask to leave the pool to go to the toilet if necessary.Q: If you have long hair what should you do with it before going into the pool?
A: Long hair should be covered by a swimming cap or tied back.Q: What are you not allowed to do at the swimming pool?
A: Pupils should not:- Eat chewing gum or sweets in the water.
- Run on the poolside.
- Enter the water until instructed.
- Leave a class without telling anyone.
- Dive, unless under instruction or unless this is allowed at the pool in a designated area.
- Engage in dangerous pursuits such as ‘bombing’, pushing others into the pool, ducking others under the water.
- Any other activity which is dangerous or frightening to others.
Q: What rules are there for using the swimming pool?
A: Rules for using a swimming pool include:- Storing outer clothing in a safe, dry place.
- Blow the nose; go to the toilet prior to entering the water.
- Obey any printed notices.
- Obey any instructions from a teacher or lifeguard.
- Enter and leave the pool when instructed.
- Do not engage in any dangerous practices.
