In France, since 2006, the law requires that all private swimming pools have a security device. There are four standards available to individuals: barriers, covers, shelters, or alarms. However, children sometimes bypass these securities and risk drowning. Children under six years old are the primary victims in France, representing more than 50% of drownings each year. But a technique has been developed to help children stay out of the water.
## A Technique from the United States
A method to prevent child drownings has existed since 1966 in the United States: The Infant Swimming Resource. The idea for such a method came from Dr. Harvey Barnett. A lifeguard in his youth, he was shocked by the drowning of a child and began to teach swimming lessons in his neighborhood. This action allowed him to observe the behavior of children who cannot swim. The method took years but seems to be a real success today.
There are two versions of the method. The first is adapted for children from 6 to 12 months and teaches them how to float, enabling them to cry and call for help. The second technique begins after twelve months. The goal this time is to teach the child to move in the pool to reach a point of attachment, alternating phases on the back and holding their breath to achieve this. This technique has been taught to nearly 180,000 children since the 60s.
This method is still relatively unknown in France, but a video circulating on the Internet has already generated many positive or negative reactions. It is important to know first and foremost that this learning for the child does not in any way preclude the need for adult supervision. Because it is always due to a moment of inattention, or a human error (gate left open, alarm turned off…) that an accident occurs.
