While headlines of yet another lawsuit can cause a collective eye-roll, many lawsuits offer a view of sources of risk individuals and businesses may not have previously considered, from sources otherwise thought of as benign. To remain cognizant of sources of risk in the aquatic environment, Infant Swimming Resource (ISR), follows lawsuits alleging injury arising from swimming lessons and swimming pools constantly such that we can continually revise our ISR Safety Protocols to provide the safest and most effective survival swimming lessons possible.
While some would contend that the pool in which swimming lessons are being taught is outside the responsibility of the individual swim instructor, Infant Swimming Resource is aware of several current lawsuits filed against cities, public facilities, private aquatics centers, and health clubs alike alleging illness, physical injury/trauma, and, in fact, death from incidents stemming from pool chemistry, faulty equipment like drains, and slippery pool decks… which makes the actual pool top of mind for ISR Instructors in our effort to provide safe and effective, survival, swimming lessons.
In January of 2024 it was announced that the Caribbean resort in Myrtle Beach South Carolina will pay $26 million to the family of a seven year old who experienced severe chemical burns as a result of improper pool chemistry. This case was recently highlighted in USA today https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/31/myrtle-beach-caribbean-resort-chlorine-burn-settlement/72420562007/ incidents like these are hyper preventable, and while your ISR Instructor will monitor the aquatic environment in which ISR Lessons are taking place, we know as well as you do that your time with your family’s ISR Instructor is likely only a small fraction of the total time your family will spend in the water each year, which is why it’s important for parents to know that safe pools should read free chlorine of 2-4ppm or 4-6pm for bromine, and in all cases, a pH between 7.2 and 7.8.
Infant Swimming Resource is also aware of several recent lawsuits stemming from accidents involving the presence or absence of adequate supervision mainly involving lifeguards. Recently, ISR learned of a 2023 lawsuit stemming from a drowning that occurred at a Virginia YMCA with lifeguards present. In the lawsuit, it is alleged that there were 38 children being supervised by distracted, lifeguards, noting that one lifeguard seemed to be preoccupied with a cell phone.This case was highlighted by the New York post here: https://nypost.com/2023/12/06/news/virginia-ymca-sued-for-20m-over-drowning-of-5-year-old-boy/
ISR contends that direct and active competent adult supervision is absolutely critical to the safety of young children in the water… Especially children who are learning to swim. This is the exact reason why all Infant Swimming Resource lessons are provided on a one-on-one basis, such that the ISR instructors sole attention is on one child.
While none of these lawsuits directly or indirectly involve ISR or ISR students, the publicity surrounding these events sees ISR Instructors answering questions about the safety measures we at Infant Swimming Resource put in place to ensure a safe pool environment for a safe and effective lesson. All ISR instructors are highly trained, and take great care in providing both a safe environment and lesson for infants and young children.
For parents and caregivers, a good rule of thumb is a straightforward and rational first step towards evaluating a pool is a simple observation: Does the water look clear? Does the water smell? If the condition of the pool gives you as a competent adult any reservation whatsoever, refrain from using the facility…If something doesn’t look or smell right, don’t risk it!
At ISR, we take pride in having provided millions of the safest and most effective survival swimming lessons worldwide, while implementing safety protocols to ensure our Instructors and students operate in a safe environment.
