To be fuming with lifeguard/safe guarding officer at gym

[Dinoswearunderpants]

I'm beyond livid and just wondering if I should see things from a different point of view.

My DS is 2 and has been taking swimming lessons since 8 weeks old at our local gym.

I take him swimming 2-3 times a week as he loves the water. It's a great activity for him.

He swims without arm bands for a short distance 3-5 meters then holds onto me or the side of the pool.

He loves swimming, extremely confident and understands the safety in the water i.e never goes to the water without an adult, holds onto the side or adult when in the water.

I took him today and was approached by a lifeguard (who also said she's the safe guarding officer) I've never seen before who said she was 'deeply concerned' about him swimming and him drinking too much water.

I explained we take lessons here and he is holding his breath for the 3-5 meters he's swimming. He wasn't coughing or in any distress.

He would jump in from the side, swim to me, I'd hold him an explain he needs to wait a moment (so he can catch his breath) then he'd swim to the side and jump back in. All this done on his own accord and a big smile on his face.

I asked the lady to speak with his swim instructor, who was there at the time. She said she'd spoken to another lifeguard who had concerns.

Both lifeguards don't have kids and are in their early 20s.

I explained what happened to the swim instructor and her words were 'I'm disgusted they said something, I'm so sorry'.

I appreciate not many 2 years can swim however he can as I've always wanted to ensure he's safe in the water.

I think I'm going to raise a complaint as they say no evidence of distress. My son wasn't coughing or anything. He was having a great time as he usually does.

It makes me not want to take him there any more but I'm still tied into a contract with them.

YABVU.

Yabu. Are you really going to complain that someone was trying to do their job? Ridiculous

There is absolutely nothing wrong with them checking on the welfare of a child.

Mine almost drowned because she said she was fine (at a swimming session without us) even though she wasn't. She looked confident so got into trouble.

Better to interfere and not need to than need to and not. You'd rather they didn't worry and check in next time? That's very silly.

However I suspect it's just a stealth brag about you super gifted advance swimmer.

You sound like the people who used to complain about how I looked too young to look after their children. I’d been in childcare 10years at this point and certainly
longer than they’d been a parent. Their age and parental status is completely irrelevant.

No two year old “understands safety in the water”. They just don’t. Just like two year olds don’t understand crossing the road safety, electrical safety, ingesting poisonous substances safety, not picking and eating berries safety, car seat safety, hot cooker safety, climbing onto window sill safety , playing with matches safety etc etc etc. It is why two year olds have parents and carers.

If you complain you will possibly find your swimming pool changes the rules about small children swimming because they don’t want to be the ones explaining their policy at an inquest.

The lifeguard is responsible for the safety of the people in the pool and was doing their job. I'd much rather have an over cautious lifeguard than one who isn't paying enough attention. A child can drown quickly and silently.

I don't think you actually realise what secondary drowning is and how it can be missed

Yes I'm sure they don't think you're bonkers enough as it is.. make sure everyone knows how incredibly clever and impressive your pfb is.
Honestly I could never face a job where I deal with the public. They re us just too much bat shit crazy in the world.

Give it a break OP. They were doing their job. They were concerned, raised the issue, you resolved it, end of.

we can’t recruit enough life guards. The govt doesn’t fund the RNLI. Anyone who does a job where they could be risking their lives deserves some respect especially youngsters. Your child looked like he was swallowing water so they checked.

This And no 2 year old has the understanding OP thinks they have.

Clearly they saw him swimming and thought he might be swallowing water, which could be very dangerous, and felt like they needed to let you know. Fair enough if you know he's not swallowing water and know he's done this a million times and been fine, but can you not understand for someone seeing this for the first time they might have concerns for the child? Isn't it better to say something and be wrong than not say anything and something happen?

Seriously? Overreaction much!!!!???!?!? They were doing their job, had a concern and raised it with you.

Also not sure how them not having kids makes a difference????

Did the instructor really say they were disgusted? That sounds a bit full on

It’s entirely possible that the lifeguards were concerned before this lady appeared, but didn’t feel confident enough to approach you (on account of their being 20 and childless). I would have thought that they would find your child a distraction, drawing their focus. It’s not uncommon for pools to say young children have to wear floatation devices whether they can swim or not!

As a swimming teacher I'm suprised he's been taught to hold his breathe he should be blowing bubbles. I suspect he's gasping for air and doesn't look very competent in the water hence why you've been rightly challenged. Are you taking him out of his depth and not supervising him. The lack of parenting in swimming pools is amazing parents don't see the danger.

Sorry OP but you sound like a nightmare... woe and betide anyone that dares to question you even if they're doing their job!

I reckon 2 more responses from the OP before she flounces off 🤔

These people are there to ensure your safety. They have been trained. If you continue to ignore advice you'll be lucky if you aren't banned from the pool.

He (2 yrs old) understands water safety
Both lifeguards don't have kids

We're all guessing that OP is a bit of a "Look at meeee!!!"

Not sure what sort of swimming lessons a 2yo is doing but at official swimming lessons I’ve attended for many years they absolutely won’t teach children to hold their breath. You don’t hold your breath walking, running or doing any other exercise and can’t safely swim that way either. It’s dangerous.

Child holds breath, puts face in water and starts splashing away to a depth they can’t manage or away from the side they need to hold on to. They can’t then catch their breath and end up in difficulty.

Lifeguard is bang on. I’d have a word with a) yourself and b) swimming instructor if they are actually teaching them to hold their breath as part of the lesson. If not you are encouraging something dangerous and it will need to be untaught.

A bit annoying, yes, but ‘beyond livid’ is a massive overreaction!

I dread to think how you’re going to cope when DC starts school if you’re getting this wound up over a minor event.

That's incorrect. The official.stage 1 starts from age 3. That's purely for insurance purposes.

Surely lifeguards being concerned for a toddler’s well-being is good.

you know there is no cause for concern, great, but surely you appreciate them checking?

You think lifeguard training takes half a day?

It takes considerably longer than that plus annual refreshment training and specific pool related training.

You've seen a few swimming lessons and think you are an expert!