At what age are you 100% comfortable leaving your kids to their own devices in a pool?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not leave your little kids without you around water. It can all change in an instant. Even bigger kids too. Just google 'child drowns' to see how often and easily it happens. This boy died 15 minutes after being dropped at his fancy country club where I'm sure everyone thought he was safe. The margin for error with water is so so small.

https://meaww.com/martha-vineyard-country-club-manager-pleads-guilty-involuntary-manslaughter-three-year-old-child

Did you actually read the thread? Or even the question?

Umm yes - many posters seem to think that lifeguards are sufficient or once their kids are good swimmers they are good to go. My apologies for trying to help
Keep kids alive. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children after car accidents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are 2 very different things being discussed here. They are not comparable at all. Many people are referring to the second thing.

1. Being truly alone (no other humans) at a private pool

2. Being allowed to attend an HOA/club pool without family supervision but that is lifeguarded and attended by other patrons.

I am a bit surprised to find out people with backyard pools NEVER use them alone. Um what?! I know two single women who live in houses with backyard pools. I guarantee they use the pools with no one home because that's the vast majority of their time!

Yes there is a chance you have a heart attack and drown. But if you live alone, the heart attack may kill you while you're inside too. Accepting these types of risk is how we all get up and move about our day. We may die in the shower today, yet we all still take showers.

True, but we are specifically discussing children and when they can be left "to their own devices" in a pool. As far as I know, OP never clarified what she meant. At our HOA, kids can attend the pool without supervision starting at age 13. Swim team practices are also drop off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most pools have rules. Ours requires kids to be 14 before they don't need adult supervision. And that's ADULT supervision, not supervision by another kid.

Yeah. Because they don’t want unsupervised kids running around and getting into trouble. Not because they are worried about seventh graders drowning without their mom being there to save them.

[Anonymous]

Goodness gracious lots of insane posters here.

I grew up in Florida with a backyard pool. My parents, the OG helicopter parents way back in the 60s, let me swim alone in the pool from the time I was 11. Our pool was only 5 feet deep at the most, so not over my head.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most pools have rules. Ours requires kids to be 14 before they don't need adult supervision. And that's ADULT supervision, not supervision by another kid.

Yeah. Because they don’t want unsupervised kids running around and getting into trouble. Not because they are worried about seventh graders drowning without their mom being there to save them.

What is your problem? OP asked a question and I answered it. Our pool requires kids to be 14. That's their rule. OP didn't specify whether this was their backyard pool or a different pool. I suggested she look at the rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t swim anywhere without a lifeguard and unless my kids take swimming significantly more seriously than I did/do (eg life guard trained, etc) I will encourage them to do the same. They’re young yet (under 3) so right now it’s at one complete adult per child and hanging onto them while in the water, but I think the 10-13 range being suggested for it being safe for the kids to be alone/mom to read by the pool is reasonable from my childhood.

Wait, what? My twins are 8 and they have swam in the pool with an adult on the side of the pool, talking to friends, reading a book, on our phones, for a few years now. They're great swimmers and there is a lifeguard on duty and it's not a huge pool. I thought OP was asking when the kids could be ALONE, i.e. no adults anywhere near the pool. Do people really think kids need to be 10-13 before they don't need a parent in the pool with them?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not leave your little kids without you around water. It can all change in an instant. Even bigger kids too. Just google 'child drowns' to see how often and easily it happens. This boy died 15 minutes after being dropped at his fancy country club where I'm sure everyone thought he was safe. The margin for error with water is so so small.

https://meaww.com/martha-vineyard-country-club-manager-pleads-guilty-involuntary-manslaughter-three-year-old-child

Did you actually read the thread? Or even the question?

Umm yes - many posters seem to think that lifeguards are sufficient or once their kids are good swimmers they are good to go. My apologies for trying to help
Keep kids alive. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children after car accidents.

A lifeguard would absolutely have been sufficient in the article you posted. NO ONE is advocating that 3 year old children be left alone near deep water.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most pools have rules. Ours requires kids to be 14 before they don't need adult supervision. And that's ADULT supervision, not supervision by another kid.

Yeah. Because they don’t want unsupervised kids running around and getting into trouble. Not because they are worried about seventh graders drowning without their mom being there to save them.

What is your problem? OP asked a question and I answered it. Our pool requires kids to be 14. That's their rule. OP didn't specify whether this was their backyard pool or a different pool. I suggested she look at the rules.

So, you think OP was asking if it’s ok to leave a 6 year old alone at their neighborhood pool with no adult supervision? You do t think she was asking how long it will be until she can read by the side of the pool without getting in?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Do you mean like let your kid go to a public or community pool with lifeguards and other adults you know around, but you aren't there? If so, our pool has a rule of 10 which seems reasonable to me.

Or do you mean like let them swim in a backyard pool by themselves without an adult? For me, when they've gone through lifeguard training and have a buddy (so 15) or when they turn 18.

You wouldn’t let your kid in the pool without a buddy until they turn 18? Am I misunderstanding?

I would not let my kid swim alone in a pool (e.g. a backyard pool where no one else in in the vicinity, not a public pool) and I wouldn't swim alone myself. I think it's a situation where there is safety in numbers. When they turn 18 they can obviously make their own choice.

That’s…extra.

I agree with the PP. My kids, husband and I are all strong swimmers and none of us, regardless of age, swim in our backyard pool without someone else around. Same with skiing. My kids and I are strong skiers, but none of us ski alone (meaning on slopes where we don't have a buddy or where we aren't always in view of a good number of people). So for us it's not about their being kids, it's about general safety. When we chose our house, though, we specifically chose one where you can see the whole pool out the back family room window, so it's very easy for someone to go for a swim while someone else is in the family room with windows or doors open. Hasn't been difficult for us over many years with this set-up and the kids (teens) don't mind at all.

Interesting. It would never occur to me not to swim alone in a pool.

NP. Not swimming alone is a standard safety guideline around water for adults, not just children.

Very silly. Akin to not eating or showering when alone due to risk of choking or falling.

You’re an idiot. Olympic swimmers don’t ever swim alone. No one with common sense does. It is in no way akin to showering or eating.

That is a pretty bold claim, and not one I believe. I understand and see the wisdom in a 'never swim alone' rule but I am a competent adult who has swam my whole life and if I happened to be at a pool alone I would definitely swim in it. And I seriously doubt olympic swimmers with pools in their backyards never swim alone, it is just a pretty silly assertion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t swim anywhere without a lifeguard and unless my kids take swimming significantly more seriously than I did/do (eg life guard trained, etc) I will encourage them to do the same. They’re young yet (under 3) so right now it’s at one complete adult per child and hanging onto them while in the water, but I think the 10-13 range being suggested for it being safe for the kids to be alone/mom to read by the pool is reasonable from my childhood.

Wait, what? My twins are 8 and they have swam in the pool with an adult on the side of the pool, talking to friends, reading a book, on our phones, for a few years now. They're great swimmers and there is a lifeguard on duty and it's not a huge pool. I thought OP was asking when the kids could be ALONE, i.e. no adults anywhere near the pool. Do people really think kids need to be 10-13 before they don't need a parent in the pool with them?!

I don't think I'd be reading a book at 8, certainly not 'for years' and I'm not crazy careful. Pools really are dangerous and kids can get into bad situations unsupervised. I'd think I would be just getting to 'able to read a book at a small pool' territory at 8. The lifeguard I guess does change things.

I dunno its hard when you have little ones to imagine. I have a 6 year old who is pretty competent but who still needs to be watched. I have a 4 year old who is VERY cautious and needs a lot of help without a flotation device (but is in regular swim classes) and a 2 year old who is watched like a hawk when there is any water present. I could see being much more relaxed about the 6 year old next year, but really they don't have good survival instincts at that point, kids that age panic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At a community pool? Age 8-9.
At a large, public pool/local water park? Age 10-11.
Alone in the backyard pool? High school.

PP who would not swim alone in a backyard pool… are you also scared to stay in your home alone overnight? That seems over cautious to say the least.

NP, you can't drown in your bedroom. That's a straw man argument. Basic pool safety dictates you should not swim alone. Of course, people do it and can do it and are allowed to do it -- but it doesn't mean that it is smart or a good idea.

Water is just so unforgiving. Its not about swimming ability. If you have a LOC for any reason you are done. If you have a LOC in your living room you don't drown.

Yet we drive every day. If you have a LOC then, you’re likely to kill or maim yourself and others.

Sorry, I’m not buying that swimming alone in a pool is dangerous and no one is able to provide any proof that it is. It’s much like co-sleeping, very low risk when certain conditions are met but recommendations are made based on the lowest common denominator.

What's a LOC?

[Anonymous]

With Covid, we ONLY allow swimming alone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not leave your little kids without you around water. It can all change in an instant. Even bigger kids too. Just google 'child drowns' to see how often and easily it happens. This boy died 15 minutes after being dropped at his fancy country club where I'm sure everyone thought he was safe. The margin for error with water is so so small.

https://meaww.com/martha-vineyard-country-club-manager-pleads-guilty-involuntary-manslaughter-three-year-old-child

Did you actually read the thread? Or even the question?

Umm yes - many posters seem to think that lifeguards are sufficient or once their kids are good swimmers they are good to go. My apologies for trying to help
Keep kids alive. Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children after car accidents.

So you wouldn't feel comfortable reading a book while your 18 year old child swims? Because that's the question.

[Anonymous]

I felt pretty comfortable at 10. My kid is a better swimmer than I am. At that age, I felt comfortable that he go to the pool without me like at a swim club with lifeguard or a friend’s house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you mean like let your kid go to a public or community pool with lifeguards and other adults you know around, but you aren't there? If so, our pool has a rule of 10 which seems reasonable to me.

Or do you mean like let them swim in a backyard pool by themselves without an adult? For me, when they've gone through lifeguard training and have a buddy (so 15) or when they turn 18.

You wouldn’t let your kid in the pool without a buddy until they turn 18? Am I misunderstanding?

I would not let my kid swim alone in a pool (e.g. a backyard pool where no one else in in the vicinity, not a public pool) and I wouldn't swim alone myself. I think it's a situation where there is safety in numbers. When they turn 18 they can obviously make their own choice.

That’s…extra.

I agree with the PP. My kids, husband and I are all strong swimmers and none of us, regardless of age, swim in our backyard pool without someone else around. Same with skiing. My kids and I are strong skiers, but none of us ski alone (meaning on slopes where we don't have a buddy or where we aren't always in view of a good number of people). So for us it's not about their being kids, it's about general safety. When we chose our house, though, we specifically chose one where you can see the whole pool out the back family room window, so it's very easy for someone to go for a swim while someone else is in the family room with windows or doors open. Hasn't been difficult for us over many years with this set-up and the kids (teens) don't mind at all.

Interesting. It would never occur to me not to swim alone in a pool.

NP. Not swimming alone is a standard safety guideline around water for adults, not just children.

DP - it is. Red Cross safety standard is never to swim alone. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/swim-safety.html

Ideally, no one should drive alone, either, but the Red Cross is never going to issue that as a recommendation. When I think of swimming alone in a backyard pool vs an exhausted parent driving alone with a million distractions, I feel the latter is a million more times dangerous.

You are really just in this to be argumentative. The fact that you can't see the difference between drowning and a car accident says everything we need to know about you and your critical thinking skills.