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?

sorry that was to maddening

Did you read my post Nancy66 - walking along a river bank and falling is EXACTLY what happened to the lady in question so it does happen

I bet you anything that the majority of people who drown are swimmers not non-swimmers.

Probably Nancy, because most people can swim, so most people who can drown (presumably in circumstances such as strong currents etc) would be swimmers.

How many swimmers HAVEN'T drowned because they can swim?

My friend MIL was walking along the harbour side and she fell in, a perfectly, sensible, careful woman of 70+. It can happen to anyone. Everyone hopes for your list Nancy but they won't save a life. I simply can't understand the attitude, not for your own DCs.

Swimmers do drown but at least they can attempt to save themselves. DS capsized when a rudder broke- even more terrifying if he hadn't had a mother who made sure he could swim.

My kids DO swim you'll be pleased to know.

DP takes them to the pool while I stay at home tutting and mumbling under my breath about 'verucas' and 'disease' and 'floating plasters.'

I don't know any adults who can't swim,and are glad they didn't learn as kids.

Nancy66,don't forget the snot and wee

the snot and the piss.....and they're swallowing it....ewwww

It is definitely a life skill, IMO.

Sorry but YABU.

Quite frankly it could save your life.

You keep trying and never ever give up. My mother finally mastered it at 56yrs - after at least 52 years of trying.

I reply to yak utter.

Sorry -in-not I.

It is vitally important, they need to go with you regularly and always assume they will do it in the end.

"So now what?", yakbutter

I'm not really sure. Maybe change the teacher, hope that things will work out over the next year or so. How old is your DS? How much time does he get to spend in a pool per week?

Please persist, it has got to be worth it in the long and short term.

When he gets to my mothers age he might change his mind-if she can do it at 50+, anyone can if they set their mind to it!

Vitally important skill and one we've thrown a lot of money at over the years.

The pay-off is that we can go on a summer holiday and the DC's will jump in and out of a (deep) pool and swim for hours, they love it, get a lot of pleasure and fun from it. We are supervising obviously, but not hovering ready to rescue etc.

DD1 aged 7 is very competent stage 5 and DD2 aged 5 is stage 4.

Yes! Although if you have common sense then no other skills are required as you would avoid deep water, fires, jumping cliffs etc

I think anything that could save your life has to be useful though surely!

What an odd thread...

OP: I don't think swimming is a life skill, AIBU?
MN: Well, if you fall in water and can't swim you'll have no life so yes, YABU.
OP: Oh right, yes, I see - IABU.

What did you think happens when you fall in water, unable to swim?!

Sodoff, you have an interesting take on the thread!