Swimming lessons decrease the risk of drowning by 88 percent according to the YMCA.

They says drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages one to five and the second leading cause of accidental death in children six to fourteen.

“The sooner you start them in swim lessons or get them exposed to the water the better. I always try to tell children the pool is like a giant bathtub, so try to relate that and take the skills you can learn in the pool and doing that at home in the bathtub or sink trying to get more comfortable in the water,” said Meghan Angel, YMCA Westside Aquatics Director.

While it’s important to show kids how fun the pool can be, Meghan Angel of the YMCA says it’s also important to show kids the dangers of the water.

“Younger kids and babies up until three years old haven’t developed that fear in the water yet, so they see a body of water and want to run and jump right in it. When children or parents have a negative experience they might be a little hesitant, but you want to teach kids the dangers of water, so they’re not just running and jumping in the pool when someone’s back is turned,” added Angel.

The YMCA offers different programs for people of all ages starting as young as six months old to help them become comfortable and confident in the water.

“What I want to show them is that swimming in the water is a fun and safe place. A lot of kids are actually scared of the water so I want to show them that it’s okay and a fun environment and once a kid breaks through their shell and realize they can swim it’s the best thing ever,” said Samantha Chilano, YMCA Swim Instructor.

Angel says it only takes a split second for someone to slip beneath the surface.