Let’s dive into some facts about our survival swim program!
Building Safer Swimmers.
One Lesson at a Time.
Did you just install a backyard swimming pool? Are you nervous for spring break? Don’t want to spend years in swim lessons waiting for your child to learn to swim?
Whatever your reason for being here… You are curious about equipping your child with the self-rescue skills they would need to SURVIVE in the event that they accidentally find themself in a swimming pool or body of water.
Zionsville Pediatric Survival Swim was created with a simple goal: to create a program and a space where families can add an extra layer of protection for their littles in a world where
DROWNING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN CHILDREN AGES 1-4.
What started as a small idea (and a lot of love) has grown into a comprehensive swim safety program with the goal to reach as many families as possible to create a community where #NotOneMoreChildDrowns.
At Zionsville Pediatric Survival Swim, we believe every child deserves a summer packed with movement, laughter, and memories that last way beyond the final splash in the pool. Whether they’re mastering their float, learning to find the pool edge, or bravely jumping into the pool, this is where kids come to grow, play, and truly shine. So whether your child is a seasoned water-lover or just starting to “get their feet wet”, Zionsville Pediatric Survival Swim is the place where they’ll be seen, supported, and celebrated. It’s all about learning to respect the water while finding joy and beauty in swimming.
Here, everyone’s a safer swimmer in the making.
We know parents have important questions when considering survival swim lessons for their child. Below are answers to some of the most common questions families ask about our pediatric survival swim program, lesson structure, safety, and enrollment process.
If you don’t see your question listed here, we’re always happy to help, additional details are shared during registration and enrollment.
FAQs
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Survival swim lessons focus on teaching infants and young children essential water safety and self-rescue skills. Rather than traditional swim instruction alone, lessons emphasize helping children respond safely if they unexpectedly enter the water while building confidence and independence.
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Children can begin survival swim lessons at varying ages depending on developmental readiness. Programs are designed for infants, toddlers, and young children, with instruction tailored to each child’s age, comfort level, and individual needs.
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I don’t want to traumatize my child! Is this the kind of program that throws children in the pool?
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Absolutely NOT. That is a common misconception for programs that truly teach lasting water safety skills. In reality, these programs use a gradual, skill-based method where children learn to self-rescue after being gently placed in the water or with a simulated “fall-in” scenario. This only occurs after a child has mastered the skills, never just tossed in. Pediatric Survival Swim focuses on building trust, teaching specific skills like the back float, and never traumatizing infants, toddlers, and children by carelessly tossing them into the water. Lessons involve real world simulation where we play with toys that may be just out of reach and practice skills with clothes on.
There is no guaranteed timeline for survival swim progress. Each child learns at their own pace based on age, consistency, comfort level, and readiness. Our focus is on long-term water safety rather than quick results.
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How long does it take for a child to learn survival swim skills?
What is the difference between a traditional swim school and your program?
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Our Program
Primary Goal: Drown-proofing through self-rescue; teaching children to survive an accidental fall into water.
Core Skill: Rolling onto their back to float, rest, and breathe, then swimming to the edge.
Format: One-on-one, highly individualized lessons.
Frequency/Duration: Short (around 15 mins) but frequent (3-4 days a week) for several weeks.
Age: Can start as young as 6 months.
Method: Teaches skills like floating and swimming to safety without flotation devices, simulating real-world scenarios.
Price: May cost more up front due to specialized training of instructors and one-on-one format. However, in the long run you will likely spend less due to the effectiveness of our program in teaching children survival skills in 6-8 weeks (traditional programs can take years depending on the child)
Traditional Swim Programs
Primary Goal: Water acclimation, building comfort, and learning strokes for sport and recreation.
Core Skill: Getting used to water, blowing bubbles, kicking, front/back floats (often with parent/instructor help).
Format: Often group classes, less personalized.
Frequency/Duration: Longer (30+ mins) but less frequent (1-2 times a week).
Age: Varies, but often starts later than survival swim lessons.
Method: Uses flotation devices like kickboards, emphasizes parent/instructor assistance/cues, and focuses on general water comfort and foundational stroke skills.
Price: Lessons may be cheaper on an hourly basis due to instructor to student ratio in a group setting (anywhere from 2-5+ kids per lesson)
Key Distinction: We are a survival-focused, intensive program for infants, toddlers, and children, while traditional lessons build broader swimming ability and water enjoyment over a longer period, often as a foundation for future stroke development. BOTH have value, but serve different primary purposes in water safety.
3-4 lessons every week- your family picks their preferred frequency. A majority of children finish our program in 24-30 lessons (this works out to about 6-8 weeks). There are many factors that play into a child’s success and overall timeline (puddle jumper use, overall water comfort, child’s age, etc).
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How often are lessons held?
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If that is what makes or breaks your child learning to perform their life-saving water safety skills then we will figure out what works best for them. However, our default for our program will be to always start with no goggles as most water accidents occur when we are least expecting them, when children are fully clothed and not wearing goggles. We may learn self-rescue skills first and then try with no goggles later on in the program. We understand every child is unique. General rule: If your child can swim-float-swim independently without goggles, they can use them!
We will also practice self-rescue skills in various outfits (summer, fall, and winter clothes).
Can my child use goggles?
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Where are lessons held?
Lesson locations may vary by season and availability. During warmer months, lessons are often held at private or seasonal pool locations in the Zionsville area. Specific location details are shared directly with enrolled families.
Do you offer indoor lessons year-round?
A permanent indoor location in downtown Zionsville is currently in development. Seasonal and alternative pool options are used in the meantime, and families will be updated as additional locations become available.
What are expectations for parents and/or caregivers during and after survival swim program lessons?
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We ask that parents and caregivers continue to be diligent around bodies of water and understand that completion of survival swim lessons does not make ANY child “drown-proof”- no such thing exists. Water safety means barriers are in place (fences around pools), designated water watchers are in place, and distractions (like cell phones) are put away. We also ask that children are not placed in floaties or puddle jumpers. These items place your child in a vertical posture, create a false sense of security, and hinder the development of essential horizontal swimming and back-floating skills.
For boating or water activities where a child needs floatation (lake, ocean, river), a proper US Coast Guard approved life jacket is a safer choice than a puddle jumper— this keeps them in a more horizontal position.
Parent involvement and communication are an important part of the survival swim process. Expectations regarding parent presence may vary by lesson and location, and families receive clear guidance during enrollment.