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Aquatots swim program
Aquatots national office
Pool fences
Pool safety net
Flotation devices

Aquatots swim program (from 4 months - 30 months)

This swim program is a happy sing-song parent-tot way of teaching infants swimming skills. It is as much a parent education as it is one for the infants. Parents are taught to keep their infants water friendly right from the time of their first bath. Group lessons start when the immune system is mature enough to cope with common waterborne germs, that being about five months of age.

Water is regarded as an extension to the natural environment. Infants are encouraged to play in water and adapt their natural land based-skills to the aquatic conditions. This is done through appropriate games, songs and rhymes. Everyone develops skills at their own pace.

Aquatots was developed by Nell White over a period of thirty years. It is distinctly a South African approach to teaching tailored to meet the demands of South African conditions. Aquatots is the mother of the national accreditation course for toddler swim teaching, Todswim SA, which is to be launched by Swimming South Africa in 1999.

Aquatots national office

Contact person for teachers in different regions:

Nell White, Tel/Fax: 021 782 6747

E-mail:

Pool fences

• Regulations for pool fencing vary in different municipal areas. It is therefore the responsibility of all pool owners to familiarize themselves with regulations in their own area.
• Isolated pool fencing is not mandatory in South Africa . CAPFSA feels that this is the only safe way of fencing a pool.
• When installing a pool fence preferably install one that complies with SABS regulations. Other fences might still give children access to a pool
• In most municipal areas pools should have a fence or wall that the neighbours or people from the street cannot have access to the pool.

Reasons why children drown when fences are erected

• The pool is fenced /walled from the neighbours and the street but the child on the property still has access to the pool either from a patio or back door.
• The fence is not the correct height.
• The material or the bars are too thin and the child can easily get through the bars.
• Chairs/ potplants are placed next to the fence enabling a child to climb over.
• The gate of the fence is/does not close properly
• The gate is left open for gardening services etc.

For information on pool fencing contact your local municipality. The SABS can supply information on fence regulations.

Pool safety net

A pool safety net is 100% safe if it is on the pool and correctly installed. Once the net is taken off when swimming small children should be watched and not left at the pool on their own.

What to look out for when purchasing a net:

• Make sure that the materials are of good quality and that it is installed by professionals. Nets of good quality are preshrunk and should retain their tension.
• When buying a net request the "Zyp" tensioner which will minimize the effort required removing and replacing the net.
• The net can only shrink if not under proper tension.
• Never leave the net in the sun when taken off the pool
• The mesh size of the net should be such that it is difficult for a child of three to crawl on the net.
• The fittings used for fixing of the net should be made of a material, which will not deteriorate in sunlight or break on impact.
• Paving around the pool should be secure enough to take the strain of the tension of the net.

  For more information on pool nets contact CAPFSA at 021 6855208 or e-mail us:

Flotation devices-not a lifesaving device

• Flotation devices or swimming aids are not life preservers.
• Children should never be left unsupervised near water even if they are wearing a swimming aid
• Children should learn to swim as soon as possible.
• There is a wide range of flotation devices on the market. Select one that suits your child's age and mass requirements.
• Always follow instructions for the correct use of a swimming aid.

• Remember - always supervise your child in or near water.

There is a wide range of swimming devices on the market. The following are some of the swimming aids that are available.

Water wings

• Are available for different age groups.
• Easy to put on.

Swim Easy

• Available in a vest for boys and a full costume for girls
• Has flotation foam that does not need to be inflated as it is built into the costume, eliminating any risk of slipping off.
• Designed for 2 - 6 year old children.
• Easy to put on and take off.

Polyotter

• Swimming costume with polystyrene flotation units in pockets around the body.
• Available in sizes from 14 months to six years.
• Buoyancy can be decreased by taking out the polystyrene inserts as the child becomes more confident in the water.

Bentley Belt

• Vest with tube flotation device
• Available for approximately 2 - 7 year old children.
• Has to be inflated with a pump.