Swim With Alison LLC

Let’s talk about dry drowning.

It’s a phrase I hear a lot as a swim instructor. Parents are terrified of letting their kids go underwater for any amount of time for fear that they might inhale water and hours later need emergency medical treatment. This level of panic causes undue stress to both the parent and the child and inhibits the child from testing the boundaries of putting their face in and practicing submersions.

Here’s what I need you to know: dry drowning is not a real medical diagnosis.

The American Red Cross, The National Drowning Prevention Alliance, The World Health Organization, The NIH, and other organizations have all debunked the myth of dry drowning.

Drowning is an acute condition. It happens in 21 seconds. Mortality occurs because of a lack of oxygen while a child is submerged - not because of water in the respiratory system. The human body is an amazing machine and any water that is inhaled is quickly absorbed.

It is okay to let your child go under water. In fact, it is crucial for them build that skill. Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death in children aged 1-4. That is a very real statistic. Teaching your child to swim as early as possible can quite literally save their life. They need to learn how to submerge and resurface safely, without panic. They need you to trust and believe they are safe to grow that confidence.

You don’t have to take my word for it. When it comes to your health and safety, please listen to accredited experts and agencies. Google “dry drowning + scholarly articles” and find out why swim instructors take this so seriously.

I just launched an updated intake form for Summer 2026 Swim Lessons! Sign up early so you get a spot. Link in comments. :)

**Are you open to hosting other swimmers in exchange for discounted/free swim lessons? Let's chat! All we need is a pool and access to a bathroom. Compensation is negotiable.**

Swim With Alison LLC is a fully registered, licensed, and insured business. I have robust insurance that covers all of my clients, regardless of location.

Such a great reminder!
If swim lessons look repetitive, there’s a really good reason for it.

In order to build muscle memory and core competency it’s essential to practice the same skill over and over before adding new skills.

We might work on a flip to float half of a lesson for multiple sessions, but it’s to rewire the brain to choose the safer option every time.
Demonstrating mastery 1-2 times then moving on isn’t as productive as you may think!

Repetition : a young brain’s favourite way to learn.

The brain loves to be ACTIVE to fire and wire to make new connections. In the pool repetition can be a child’s: safe harbour: they love the familiar and the predictable. Repetition is essential for building muscle memory, coordination, and automaticity.

I was supporting a swim professional last week with their whole baby and toddler swim programme, it’s all part of becoming Aqua Sensory Certified. We go through what YOU need.

When lesson planning it’s easy to look for MORE ideas, MORE activities - but I noticed some golden swim keys that were just not being repeated enough in their schemes and plans.

“Try to repeat the activity for the skill in a layered approach ten times, rather than a different activity each week.” Was my advice.

Our swim scheme and skill ladders in the course really resonated with them.

What do you feel about repetition? I would love to know.

————————————————————————-

Become Aqua Sensory Certified and be fully supported. This is made for aquatic professionals who really want to deepen and transform their practices, to become sensory aware and put the child at the centre of everything they do.

FAQ: Can anyone teach swim lessons?

📣Technically, yes but experience matters. Just as you wouldn’t trust your car to an untrained mechanic, you shouldn't entrust your or your child’s safety in the water to someone without proven expertise.

🏊Swimming is a life-saving skill, and quality instruction can make all the difference. While many people offer lessons, what sets great coaching apart is the ability to deliver personalized, effective, and safe instruction grounded in both knowledge and experience.

🌊🌊With over 16 years of swim teaching experience, I bring a deep understanding of technique, progressions, and individual learning styles.

🧘‍♀️I’m trained to Red Cross standards, teach academic swimming courses at the University of Virginia, and am a former collegiate synchronized swimmer. Additionally, I am a certified adult and children's yoga instructor so I know how to incorporate mindfulness into all of my lessons

🌟I’m also a proud member of the Superhero Swim University community of coaches, and my swim school is accredited by the International Swim School Association.

🌊🌊When you swim with me, you're getting more than just lessons — you're getting a professional approach backed by credentials, passion, and results.

Booking mobile lessons now!