Pool season is here in Houston! What to know before you dive in...

This time of year, I start getting more calls, more questions, and more training requests around swim safety. Families are heading to the pool, swim teams are ramping up, and everyone is ready to enjoy the water.

It is one of my favorite seasons, and it is also when I like to gently remind people that a little preparation goes a long way.

I remember last summer my son Zac was working as a lifeguard at a YMCA pool. It was a normal, busy day. Kids were playing, families were chatting, nothing out of the ordinary. Then he noticed a young girl in the pool who was struggling. She was not yelling or splashing wildly. She was waving, crying, and trying to keep her head above water. He grabbed a life preserver and got it to her quickly.

She was okay, but it’s a big reminder of the importance of learning to swim.

Why this matters

Drowning is still one of the leading causes of accidental death for young children.

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 

• Formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics 

• There are 4,500 unintentional drownings each year in the U.S.

• If you have a backyard residential pool, it is strongly recommended that you have a 4-sided fence that is 48”-50” high surrounding your pool. This is in addition to the fence around your backyard.

Those numbers are exactly why swim lessons matter. They are not just about learning strokes in the pool; they build confidence and give kids a better chance to stay safe in the water.

What drowning actually looks like

One of the biggest misconceptions is that drowning is loud and obvious. Most of the time, it is not. It is often quiet and easy to miss if you are not really watching. Drowning can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds and looks like:

• Head low in the water, mouth just at the surface 

• Eyes that look glassy or unfocused 

• Trying to stay upright without moving forward 

• Silence instead of calling out for help 

That is why I always encourage parents and caregivers to stay engaged when kids are in the water. Being present makes a difference.

What I am seeing more of this year

I have been getting more requests lately from swim coaches and aquatic teams who want additional safety training. I love seeing that.

Knowing how to swim is important. Knowing how to recognize a problem and respond is just as important. In these training sessions, we focus on what to look for, how to step in safely, and what to do if someone needs CPR. It is practical, hands-on, and it builds confidence for those moments when it really counts.

It doesn’t need to be complicated. A few small habits can make a big impact:

• The Academy of Pediatrics recommends starting swimming lessons as early as one year of age and keeping them consistent throughout the child’s growing years.

• According to the National Drown Alliance, a responsible teenager or adult needs to be within arms distance of infants, toddlers, and young children whenever they are in or near water, providing “touch supervision”.

• Flotation devices are not a substitute for supervision

• Floaties can put children in an unnatural vertical position, which can delay learning proper swimming and floating techniques 

• According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, always wear a US Coast Guard Life Jacket in or around natural bodies of water or when boating.

• Put distractions away and keep your eyes on the water 

• Make sure someone nearby knows CPR (maybe even you!)

Swim safety is not about worrying. It is about being aware and prepared so everyone can relax and enjoy the time together and make it home safe at the end of the day. That is always the goal.  

Have fun and stay safe this summer!

Gail Gould

The CPR and Safety Lady