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Original poster

Is Swimming a life skill (following on from driving thread)

213 replies

girlfriend44 · 23/07/2022 20:56

Alot of people here said that driving was a life skill.

If you drive can you also swim?
Do you consider Swimming to be a life skill too that everyone should learn?

OP posts:
5foot5 · 23/07/2022 22:27

If you have to fold something large like a sheet or a duvet cover and you haven't got anyone to take the other end, stand on a chair and let it dangle.

RufustheFloralmissingreindeer · 23/07/2022 22:30

I think both are important

we have been able to facilitate both for our children

they had no choice about doing either 😀

LoveAfternoonTea · 23/07/2022 22:30

Think about what you’re saying here people… Of course being able to swim is useful. Of course being able to drive is useful. Master them if you can, but don’t talk about them as essential. Many, many people can do neither, and do not have the ability to ever be able to. I took DD sailing today. She cannot swim, she will never swim. She was safe, I was safe. We had a great day on the water.

LondonQueen · 23/07/2022 22:31

Swimming is a life skill, and can also save your life, so I don't understand why you wouldn't learn to swim.

Rainbowshit · 23/07/2022 22:33

LoveAfternoonTea · 23/07/2022 22:30

Think about what you’re saying here people… Of course being able to swim is useful. Of course being able to drive is useful. Master them if you can, but don’t talk about them as essential. Many, many people can do neither, and do not have the ability to ever be able to. I took DD sailing today. She cannot swim, she will never swim. She was safe, I was safe. We had a great day on the water.

Jesus. You are off your head. She would be so much safer if she could swim.

Changechangychange · 23/07/2022 22:33

TPL · 23/07/2022 21:14

I don't think it is a life saving skill. There is always talk of people drowning because they can't swim but I find most non swimmers (myself included) tend to be a lot more careful around the water. As a non swimmer I'd never ever swim in a lake or river and I only ever dip my feet into the sea at the seaside.

I think it’s the shit swimmers who are most at risk - complete non-swimmers tend to steer clear of water altogether, keen swimmers who do 1500m three times a week will probably survive ok until the lifeboat gets to them. It’s the “I can totally swim, I got my 25m badge when I was 8” crew, especially if they’ve been drinking, who end up falling in unintentionally and drowning.

OneTC · 23/07/2022 22:37

I can't swim very well at all. I'd die if I had to swim a couple of hundred metres

StClare101 · 23/07/2022 22:39

Swimming is a non-negotiable here. The kids have weekly lessons and are strong swimmers. I’m a strong swimmer. DH can keep himself alive but wouldn’t be much help to anyone else.

BogStandard · 23/07/2022 22:40

I can drive and swim.

I'd class swimming as a life skill but I wouldn't say driving is.

Being able to drive gives you freedom, independence and makes getting around more convenient. Learning how to swim could save your life.

princesspeppax · 23/07/2022 22:41

I drive, but I can't swim. I wish I could as I definitely feel it holds me back on holiday etc as I'm scared to go on water slides or in large pools, my DC go to weekly swimming lessons and are already much more confident than me in the water. Honestly I feel embarrassed at the thought of admitting publicly I cant swim at my age and cant stand the thought of doing lessons at my age for everyone to see Blush

CounsellorTroi · 23/07/2022 22:41

I can swim, learned as an adult. I’m not confident to go out of my depth, but I hope that if I fell into deep water I would be able to remind myself that I can swim.

I can drive too.

HerRoyalNotness · 23/07/2022 22:42

Yes, great if you can swim but I’d rather people learn how to float on their back for long periods or be able to tread water, until help arrives. And take safe water lessons for wild water swimming, learning how to spot dangers I currents at the beach,
Rivers etc.

PuppyMonkey · 23/07/2022 22:42

5foot5 · 23/07/2022 22:27

If you have to fold something large like a sheet or a duvet cover and you haven't got anyone to take the other end, stand on a chair and let it dangle.

Now that’s a life skill. Grin

HeadNorth · 23/07/2022 22:43

My MIL can’t swim. She lives rurally inland and is nearly 80. It is very easy to avoid water and live a long life. Not being able to drive can be a pain in the ass.

ldontWanna · 23/07/2022 22:46

I can swim but I can't drive. Not entirely sure whether I'm a "proper" adult or not.Grin

Mellowyellow222 · 23/07/2022 22:46

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding here about the circumstances in which people drown.

In almost half of all fatal incidents (44%) the person had no intention of entering the water and were taking part in everyday activities such as walking.

however it is an area where gender benefits women - 80% of drowning fatalities are male.

that chimes with my very tiny sample - the people my mum and I pulled from the water were male. One a child (in my case).

1000chairs · 23/07/2022 22:47

Yes swimming is certainly a basic life skill. You never know when you might need to save your own life and others. It is also good exercise, can be invigorating and and easy sport to enjoy by the less able.

LemonSwan · 23/07/2022 22:48

Yes, both essential in my eyes but swimming even more so.

PersonaNonGarter · 23/07/2022 22:49

If you have to choose between learning to drive a car or learning how to swim… learn to swim.

KylieCharlene · 23/07/2022 22:57

I can drive but I can't swim.

Branster · 23/07/2022 22:57

Both equally important to my mind and, ideally, parents should facilitate learning to swim and to drive as early as possible. As a gift for life. Much more useful than teaching cooking or cleaning which anyone can learn by themselves out of necessity.

Most importantly, children must learn to respect water, they must understand what a powerful force it is. Just like they understand the dangers of fire.

TenoringBehind · 23/07/2022 22:59

I can’t swim and I’m still alive.

I can drive though.

Mellowyellow222 · 23/07/2022 23:05

TenoringBehind · 23/07/2022 22:59

I can’t swim and I’m still alive.

I can drive though.

Well that proves it them😂. Stop water safety lessons in all leisure centres across the country!

joking - but yes drowning accidents at rare - but they happen and are tragic. I also have a few friends who weren’t taught to swim as kids. It has impacted what holidays they can go on as adults, what activities they feel confident enough to do and limits what they can now do around water with their own kids. It’s harder to learn in adult hood.

calmlakes · 23/07/2022 23:07

Swimming is a not dying skill.
Driving is a very useful life skill as is cycling a bike.

WhileMyGuitarGentlyWeeps · 23/07/2022 23:09

Mellowyellow222 · 23/07/2022 22:46

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding here about the circumstances in which people drown.

In almost half of all fatal incidents (44%) the person had no intention of entering the water and were taking part in everyday activities such as walking.

however it is an area where gender benefits women - 80% of drowning fatalities are male.

that chimes with my very tiny sample - the people my mum and I pulled from the water were male. One a child (in my case).

I did not know that about the drowning statistics. I wonder WHY 80% are male?!

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