Aiken kids learn tips on how to stay safe while swimming

AIKEN — The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson was held June 26 at the Smith-Hazel Recreation Center pool in Aiken with the goal to children to about water safety and to provide basic swimming skills.

Children also learned how to do a breaststroke, kicking, dipping their face in the water,  jumping in the deep end and climbing out after getting to the edge.

Several places in Aiken offer swim lessons  including Smith-Hazel Recreation Center, the Fermata Club and the Aiken Family YMCA in Graniteville.

“Swimming lessons save lives,” said Brian Loging, the City of Aiken’s Recreation Program coordinator, while looking at a bracelet that each swimmer received for coming to the lesson.

Loging said drowning is also a major issue. He said the common misconception is that people can drown in deep water, but people can drown in even a few feet of water.

Based on 2018-2022 data from the South Carolina Department of Public Health, children from the ages of 1 to 4 had the highest rate of drowning death. The data also said the drowning death rates were higher in males than females.

A North Augusta teen recently died by drowning.

Malakai Jarrett, 18, died June 18 after he was found submerged in a swimming pool by a family member.

When EMS crews arrived, cardiopulmonary resuscitation efforts were attempted for several minutes by neighbors and EMS personnel, but the teen was unable to be revived.

Police and the Aiken County Coroner’s Office are still investigating the death.

North Augusta Parks and Recreation Director Rick Meyer provided more tips on how children can be safe in the water.

He said children should take lessons from certified instructors, no one should swim alone and there should be adult supervision.

Also, make sure the water is safe before going in, young children should wear swim trainer vests or swimming floats that keep their head above water, adults should avoid being on a cellphone while kids are swimming and an adult in charge should know CPR and have rescue procedures in place.

Loging said during the World Largest Swim Lesson the kids are taught the importance of asking their parents or guardians permission before they go in the water so they know where their children are at while they are swimming. 

Loging said he hopes the children learned enough that if they fall into the water or are going to a pool party they will be able to have fun and keep themselves safe.

Loging said a lot of pool safety starts before anyone gets into the pool. He said anyone preparing to swim should make sure to have sunscreen on, have proper swimwear protection and a flotation device like life jacket or floaties that will help someone who can’t swim to stay afloat.

He said also basic swim lessons at any age are important.

“Just understanding the importance of doing a simple stroke or kicking can be the difference between a child getting in the pool not knowing what to do and getting in the pool and getting out safely,” he said.