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.

You are being utterly ridiculous OP!

I think they were just doing their job, I would think it unusual for a two year old to be swimming independently /holding breath etc but I’ve no idea.
I wouldn’t make a complaint. They asked, you explained- end of.

I can't even think of a decent response to all this. As a parent who almost had a child drown I am lost for words. Oh and becoming a lifeguard and doing a safeguarding course is a hell of a lot longer than a half day course.

I must have predicted correctly and she has in fact had her child scouted for Olympic swimming. Damn. So jealous.

This is why nobody wants to work with the public anymore.

2 year olds do not understand water safety. You don’t need to be a parent to know that.

And I don’t believe a credible swim teacher would express disgust at lifeguards doing their job. I wouldn’t want such a person teaching kids.

Children’s water safety is a huge pet peeve of mine because a: my spouse did maritime S&R for years and was always so careful with our children because of the awful things he saw, and b: a family friend did ISR with her pfb and was so totally smug about her ability to swim and her understanding of water safety that the child drowned in their backyard pool at 2 because most people have no idea how quickly it can happen for a child that little. I would MUCH rather see an over careful lifeguard than one who assumes the mother knows what she’s doing and doesn’t raise it.

OP's Day 1 of Primary post - FUMING WITH SCHOOL RECEPTIONIST FOR QUESTIONING MY CHILD'S ABILITY TO FRY THIR OWN STEAK FOR LUNCH!!

hOW daRe tHeY tAKe AwaY HIs caMPInG StOVe!! hE'S HAd A foOD hYGieNE ceRTiFiCAte SiNCe bEfoRE hE WaS BOrN!!

I’d willingly bet £5 she asked them when she was arguing with them and then used it against them.

The concern maybe related to dry drowning.

How can you be fuming at lifeguards conferenced about your child's safety. Mind boggling.

😀

5*** Michelin chef, surely?

Yep.

DO yOu HaVe KiDs

Why are you reacting so violently ?

I agree. That was a horrible post.

But now some newbie has received their half day training course in safe guarding, they're now an expert

They do not know you. What do you expect to happen in this situation where they see something might be dangerous?

Phone around their colleagues asking if they know you and your child? Lifesaving is a serious business. They could have a pefect shift for 99.9% of their day and then not challenge something that concerns them and somebody dies.

It is not a job where you can ignore something that does look right.

They are ordinary people who do not have superhuman powers to pluck you and your childs swimming history out of thin air.

Oh go on, do complain.

They already think you're a knob and that'll confirm it.

'I wish to complain because one of your lifeguards was concerned about my child, and had the temerity to talk to me about it so that I could reassure them...'

They'll get a pat on the back.

I guess you're defensive because you can't believe someone would have the audacity to question your parenting. But it's not personal because they don't know you.

Your going to complain about lifeguard doing their job 🙄

Agreed.

I'd love to see the complaint

I had the temerity to teach for a short time as a childless woman. I have some experience with this sort of parent.

Snap.

Don't go back. They'll be glad to se the back of you.

Why would you complain?

You know how easy it is for kids to drown right? Poor bloody lifeguard doing her job and getting grief. Can you image the nerve!