James Setton 
Parents of pre-teens and teens often assume their children no longer need water safety rules. A twelve-year-old who has passed multiple levels of swim lessons and a sixteen-year-old on the high school swim team both face risks that younger children do not. The risks shift from drowning due to lack of skill to drowning due to overconfidence, peer pressure, and environmental hazards. Pre-teens and teens drown in natural water settings more frequently than in pools. They drown while trying to rescue others. They drown after diving into unknown depths. They drown when alcohol enters the equation.
Water safety rules for this age group focus on judgment, not just skill. A teen may have the physical ability to swim a mile. That same teen may lack the judgment to recognize a rip current or to refuse a dangerous dare. Parents need a different set of rules for adolescents than for toddlers. These rules emphasize decision making, environmental awareness, and the courage to say no.
The buddy system is not optional for pre-teens and teens. Swimming alone means no one is present to call for help or perform a rescue if a medical event occurs. A cramp, a seizure, a collision with another swimmer, or a sudden heart condition can incapacitate even a strong swimmer. A buddy provides a second set of eyes and a second pair of hands.
The buddy rule applies to pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches. It applies even when a lifeguard is present. A lifeguard may not notice a submerged swimmer immediately, but a buddy will. Parents should set the expectation: if your teen goes to the pool with friends, they are responsible for one another. No one leaves the water alone. No one swims without telling their buddy.
Pre-teens and teens die each year from diving into shallow water. A river or lake that appears deep may have submerged rocks, logs, or a sandbar. A pool that looks the same at both ends may have a depth change of several feet. The rule is simple: enter feet first the first time. Diving is only permitted in areas clearly marked for diving with known depth.
The same rule applies to jumping from cliffs, bridges, or boat docks. Every year, adolescents misjudge the depth or hidden obstacles beneath the surface. Parents should prohibit any jumping or diving into natural water unless a local authority has verified the area as safe. Even then, feet first entry is the safer choice.
For ocean swimming, pre-teens and teens need to understand rip currents. A rip current is a narrow channel of water flowing away from shore. It does not pull a swimmer under. It pulls them out. The correct response is not to fight the current but to swim parallel to shore until free. Parents should practice this response with teens at a guarded beach where rip currents are present.
Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination, and swimming ability. A teen who would never drive after drinking may still swim after drinking. The risk of drowning increases significantly when alcohol is involved. The rule must be absolute: no swimming, boating, or supervising of swimmers after consuming alcohol.
Parents need to state this rule directly and repeatedly. Teenagers often gather at pools or lakes during parties. Parents should know where their teens are swimming and who is supervising. For home pools, parents should enforce a zero-alcohol policy for all guests under twenty-one. For teens attending parties elsewhere, parents should confirm that responsible adults are present and that alcohol will not be available near water.
Pre-teens and teens have a strong instinct to help a friend in trouble. That instinct is admirable but dangerous. Most drowning deaths among adolescents occur when one person attempts to rescue another and drowns in the process. The would-be rescuer is pulled under by the panicking victim or becomes exhausted.
The correct response is reach, throw, or row, but do not go. A teen should stay on land or on a boat deck, reach with a pole, oar, branch, or towel, or throw a flotation device. If the victim is far from shore, call for professional help immediately. Parents should practice these skills with their teens. Role-play scenarios at a pool. Have the teen practice extending a pool noodle or a life ring from the deck. This training saves lives.
Parents should also ensure their teen knows how to call for emergency services and give clear location information. A teen who can say, “We are at the public beach at 123 Main Street, and a swimmer is struggling fifty yards offshore,” provides responders with critical information.
Pre-teens and teens often resist wearing life jackets. The jackets feel bulky or uncool. But the data are clear: most drowning deaths in boating accidents occur to people not wearing life jackets. For open water swimming beyond designated swim areas, a life jacket provides a margin of safety that swimming skill cannot replace.
The rule is non-negotiable. On any boat under twenty feet in length, everyone wears a properly fitted life jacket approved by the United States Coast Guard. For personal watercraft such as jet skis, life jackets are legally required. For swimming in lakes, rivers, or oceans beyond guarded areas, a life jacket is strongly recommended even for strong swimmers.
Parents can model this behavior by wearing life jackets themselves. A teen is more likely to comply if parents follow the same rule. Choose life jackets designed for active movement. Modern designs are less bulky and more comfortable than older models.
Pre-teens and teens may not check a weather forecast before heading to a lake or beach. Thunderstorms create lightning risk. High winds create waves that exhaust swimmers. Cold water below 70 degrees Fahrenheit causes rapid heat loss and muscle fatigue.
Parents should teach teens to check three things before any swim: the weather forecast, the water temperature, and any posted warnings at beaches or parks. If lightning is within ten miles, get out of the water immediately. If the water feels cold enough to cause shivering within a few minutes, limit swim time or wear a wetsuit. If a beach has posted a warning for high bacteria levels or rip currents, choose a different location.
Older children and teens may spend time in pools without parents present. They should know to avoid sitting on or near pool drains. A drain with a broken or missing cover can trap hair, clothing, or limbs. The suction force can hold a swimmer underwater.
The rule is: never touch or play near a pool drain. If a drain cover appears loose or damaged, report it to a lifeguard or pool owner immediately. For pools with single drains, teens should be aware that those pools pose higher risk and should be avoided.
The table below summarizes the water safety rules for adolescents. Parents can review these rules with their pre-teens and teens before the start of each swim season.
| Rule Number | Rule Statement | Why It Matters for This Age Group |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Never swim alone | A buddy provides rescue and calling for help |
| 2 | Know the water before entering | Prevents diving injuries and rip current drownings |
| 3 | Alcohol and water do not mix | Alcohol impairs judgment and swimming ability |
| 4 | Reach, throw, don’t go for rescues | Prevents would-be rescuers from drowning |
| 5 | Wear a life jacket on boats and in open water | Provides buoyancy when swimming skill fails |
| 6 | Check weather and water conditions | Avoids lightning, cold water, and hazardous currents |
| 7 | Respect pool drains and suction fittings | Prevents entrapment drowning |
Many pre-teens and teens have completed swim lessons as younger children but have not practiced advanced skills. Parents should consider refresher courses or advanced training that focuses on open water swimming, survival skills, and rescue techniques. A teen who can swim laps in a pool may struggle in a lake with waves and limited visibility.
SwimRight Academy offers advanced programs for older children and teens. These programs include endurance swimming, treading water for extended periods, underwater swims for breath control, and simulated rescue scenarios. Instructors also teach teens how to recognize panic in others and how to provide assistance without endangering themselves.
Parents can also enroll teens in lifeguard training courses through the American Red Cross or local aquatics centers. Even if a teen does not plan to work as a lifeguard, the training provides water rescue, CPR, and first aid skills that build confidence and competence.
Parents of adolescents face a different challenge than parents of younger children. You cannot maintain touch supervision. You cannot control every environment your teen visits. What you can do is teach, practice, and set clear expectations. Then you trust the training.
Have direct conversations about water safety. Do not assume your teen knows the rules or understands the risks. Use real examples from news reports or local incidents. Ask your teen, “What would you do if you saw a friend struggling in a rip current?” Listen to the answer. Correct any misconceptions.
Set consequences for breaking water safety rules. A teen who dives into unknown water loses swimming privileges for a set period. A teen who swims after drinking loses access to the family pool for the season. Consequences should be clear in advance and enforced consistently.
Encourage your teen to be the safety voice among their friends. A teen who says, “Let’s check the depth before we jump” or “We need a buddy before we go out” influences peer behavior. Praise your teen when they demonstrate good judgment. That reinforcement matters.
The water safety rules taught to pre-teens and teens are not temporary. They are the same rules adults should follow. Adults who boat without life jackets, swim alone, or drink near water are making the same errors as adolescents. Parents who model safe behavior teach more effectively than any lecture.
When parents wear life jackets on boats, check weather forecasts, and practice reach rescues, teens notice. When parents admit that they check depth before diving or that they never swim after drinking, teens internalize those choices as normal.
SwimRight Academy encourages families to continue swimming education through adolescence. Advanced classes build endurance and technique, but they also reinforce safety judgment. Instructors work with teens on scenarios that require quick decision making, such as recognizing a swimmer in distress or responding to sudden fatigue.
For parents who want to ensure their pre-teen or teen has the skills and judgment to stay safe in and around water, SwimRight Academy offers skill assessments and advanced placement classes. A certified instructor can identify gaps in a teen’s ability and recommend targeted training. Speak with an instructor to schedule an evaluation for your older child.
Guest article
The above may not coincide with the methodology and opinion of the SwimRight Academy Team.
James Setton 
