to think that swimming is not a "life skill"?

[Alliwantisaroomsomewhere]

A friend today said to me that swimming was a life skill (and that's why her son took lessons).

I don't think it is a life skill. AIBU to think that?

Ah funnily enough, my sister got caught in quicksand a few months ago and was saved by her dog barking for help. Not quite Lassie, but nearly.
Frightened her senseless, she really thought she'd had it.

Yes, it is a life skill, as being able to swim could save your life. Unless your DCs are never planning to go near a beach or a swimming pool or a cruise ship (Costa Concordia anyone?) ever in their life.

I think YABU, yes.

Wow Isla that was lucky then!

Of course it is

I disagree. I think it is definitely a life skill. Idon't think it's necessary to continue lessons until you get to competition standard, but I do think everyone should be able to swim if at all possible. It could save your life one day.

BBQ, thanks for a bloody brilliant reply! I suspect that that is the type of thing I was thinking about when I was dubious about swimming being a life skill. I can see that it is without doubt extremely important that children learn to swim and it may well save their life at some point or other, but it is not the same as being able to read, write, make decisions, be independent, take care of yourself and so on. Had too much wine to read your whole post now, but I will do tomorrow.

Thanks for taking the time to set all of that out for me and others.

Of course it is -who could possibly question something that might save your life one day. Mine could choose interests but swimming was non negotiable and they went from babies. Every parent should be taking them regularly.

If I hadn't been taught to swim, I would now be dead. So, whilst I don't swim as a hobby, or often, it has ranked highest in my life as a survival skill. Funny isn't it, that we don't swim instinctively like dogs?

They gave up lessons once they were a reasonable swimmer.

Nope, it's still a life skill by any ordinary definition. The ones described in the quotation above are social/interpersonal skills. They are in the UNICEF definition because that's what they are interested in providing through their education programmes. They don't give a shit if you can swim or not.

"Mine could choose interests but swimming was non negotiable"

I agree, they might choose swim related hobbies, they might not, but they learn to get by in swimming, just like they learn to get by in reading writing even though they might have no interest in classic literature or creative prose later.

When you go on holiday, one of the key attractions will be the swimming pool. It's where all the pre-teens and teens hang out, (apart from the Amusement Arcade, which I assume you'd rather they stayed away from). And you will be a lot less worried if you know they are water-safe.
Also a popular birthday party is Swimming Pool, I've held one myself and DDs have been to about four, not being able to swim would have made those parties really boring for them.

Saved by her dog barking?

Mine would just jump in with me...

Yes swimming is a life skill I say.

If you drown it would've even a life skill

Been doh!

What's an "ordinary definition" LeBOF? I can't find any dictionary definition where "life skills" just means the skills we need in life - even though that's what it sounds as if it should mean.

E.g. from Dictionary.com

"Life skills - the ability to cope with stresses and challenges of daily life, esp. skills in communication and literacy, decision-making, occupational requirements, problem-solving, time management and planning"

Definitely a life skill. An adult non-swimmer nowadays- bit odd imo.

We are so lucky in this country that swimming is incorporated into national curriculum - this incident in US was shocking.

YABU. Tell that to the lady who slipped into a river after going too close to edge when I was about 10. She couldn't swim and my step dad had to throw most of his clothes off dive in and get her out. It all happened very quickly but she was under water and he had to find her down there - dived down for her 3 or 4 times before he did. She wrote to him thanking him later and said she was taking swimming lessons now!

I'm making sure DD learns as i do think its important

YABU, swimming is most definitely a life skill.

I think 'life skill' is pushing it a bit. Yes, it is really important and, yes, it can save lives. I will definitely make sure my DC's learn how to swim. But to me the term 'life skill' means something that is pretty much absolutely essential to getting through on a day to day basis. So I'll go with the minority and saw YANBU!

(I say that as the DP of a man who can't swim and can't drive. And he's a police officer... )

I suppose I mean by ordinary, how it is usually understood. How most people use the term.

I don't really care all that much though- I just think its a good idea for people to learn how to swim

Thanks BBQ - I've always wondered what it meant :)

Scoundrel

"what to do if you find yourself in quicksand."

Oh no! I'm fucked!

Isla - your sister fell into quicksand?!

Where was she?

Is there quicksand in the UK?

YABU. Swimming is definitely a life skill. I feel sorry for kids/adults who can't swim..in the same way as kids/adults who can't ride a bike! (though you're not going to die if you can't ride a bike!!!)

Of course it is a life skill - it could save your life if you fell into water (as happened to me aged 11 when I fell into a river, no panic, just swam to the bank and climbed out).