HOLIDAY TRAVEL ALERT: Essential Water-Survival Skills Every Family Should Know Before Winter Break

British Swim School Urges Parents to Prepare Kids for Real-Life Water Emergencies During Seasonal Travel

As millions of families prepare for holiday travel—whether boarding a cruise ship, relaxing at a beach resort, or staying in a vacation rental with a pool—British Swim School of Seattle is issuing an important safety reminder: water emergencies can happen in seconds, even in supervised or seemingly “safe” environments.

The warning comes as recent national headlines spotlighted a terrifying moment aboard a major cruise line, where a young girl fell overboard and her father jumped in to rescue her. While the story ended safely, experts say most parents and children are not equipped with the water-survival skills needed to react effectively in an unexpected fall-in situation.

Why Water Risks Increase During Holiday Travel

Whether families are heading to tropical destinations or wintertime cruises, the risk of water accidents rises during the holiday season. Contributing factors include:

• Unfamiliar surroundings such as cruise decks, hotel pools, slippery walkways, and crowded water-play areas
• Distracted environments, especially with large family groups and social gatherings
• Cold-water shock and fatigue, which can intensify panic during winter travel
• A false sense of security in environments that appear supervised—many cruise ships do not have trained lifeguards

“People assume that water is safest in controlled environments like resorts or cruise ships,” said Juli Richling, owner of British Swim School of Seattle. “But most accidents happen when families let their guard down. The best protection is making sure children know essential survival skills before vacation—not after.”

7 Water-Survival Skills Every Child (and Parent) Should Know

British Swim School franchises nationwide are educating families ahead of winter break with practical tips that can prevent tragedy:

1. Teach children to ‘Roll-to-Float’ automatically
If a child falls into water unexpectedly, they should instinctively roll onto their back to breathe—whether clothed, without goggles, or in deep water.

2. Practice floating in real-world clothing
Holiday trips often involve jackets, shoes, or heavier outfits. Floating feels completely different when weighed down.

3. Use the “STOP–FLOAT–YELL” rule
Kids should stop panic movements, roll to float, and yell for help—NOT attempt to swim immediately.

4. Parents should call for help first
In many situations, jumping in after a child can endanger the rescuer. Parents should quickly assess, alert staff or trained responders, and only enter the water when absolutely necessary.

5. Assign a “Designated Water Watcher”
Choose one adult at a time to supervise the water—without phones or distractions.

6. Learn the safety layout before swimming
Identify life rings, shallow-water edges, exits, and determine if trained lifeguards are on duty. (Many cruise lines do not provide them.)

7. Teach kids to float confidently without goggles
Goggle loss is one of the most common triggers of panic in young swimmers.

Why Survival-Focused Swim Lessons Matter—Even in Winter

Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4, according to the CDC. The National Institutes of Health reports that swim lessons can reduce drowning risk by up to 88% for young children.

British Swim School teaches year-round, survival-first techniques designed to help children handle real emergencies—not just recreational swimming. Winter is one of the most important times to start lessons, especially for families preparing for holiday or spring travel.

“As instructors, our goal is to give children skills that could save their lives,” added Richling. “Even one lesson can make a meaningful difference before a family heads out on vacation.”