Kids Don’t Float Pool Sessions

The Kids Don’t Float pool session includes approximately 50 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes of optional free time, but can be tailored to meet the needs of the group. We can work with up to 30 students during a 1 hour pool session. The pool rental fee is paid for by the school or group requesting the pool session. All logistics, including permission slips, transportation, safety (i.e. lifeguards), pool reservation, etc. are the responsibility of the rental group (that’s you). The Alaska Office of Boating Safety facilitates the pool session under the auspices of the pool rental group.

At a Kids Don’t Float pool session, students practice lifesaving boating safety skills by rotating through four interactive stations in a controlled learning environment. These activities are designed to address Alaska’s boating fatality statistics: five out of six boating fatalities are caused by capsizing, swamping, or falling overboard.

The four pool activity stations include:

• Man Overboard: This station reviews some techniques for rescuing a person who has fallen overboard and addresses some potential causes of a fall overboard.
• Clothing: At this station, participants are invited to experience the challenge of being immersed in water while fully clothed. Alaskans often wear multiple layers of clothing while boating. Accidents can happen fast and when least expected; this station emphasizes that wearing a life jacket is critical for survival.
• Life Jackets: This station introduces different styles of life jackets and allows participants to experience the proper fit of a life jacket, evaluate its performance, and compare it to other types of life jackets to decide which one is best for them.
• Canoe: At this station, participants experience how a life jacket helps in the event of capsizing or swamping a boat. They learn about different factors that could contribute to capsizing or swamping, such as overloading, improper balance, or reaching overboard. Participants also learn how to self-rescue by pulling themselves back into the canoe.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I book a Kids Don’t Float pool session?
  • Secure a date with a Kids Don’t Float instructor.
  • Contact a local pool to see if the date and time is available for a rental.
  • Reconfirm with your KDF contact to make sure the date is still available.
  • Obtain a rental agreement with the pool and submit it to the pool.
  • Arrange transportation for participants
  
  
  
• Is there a fee for the KDF Pool Session?
  • All of our instruction is free, but it is up to you to cover the cost of the pool rental and any cost associated with transportation. Costs may vary depending on the location and the number of participants.
  
  
  
• What should participants bring?
  • Swimsuits, towel, and a bag to bring wet items home
  
  
  
• How long is a KDF Pool Session?
  • For 30 students or less, the pool session happens during a 60 minute pool rental. This includes approximately 50 minutes of boating safety instruction and 10 minutes of free swim time. For groups with more than 30 students, a 2 hour rental may be needed.
  
  
  
• How many participants can attend?
  • We can work with up to 30 students during a 1 hour pool session.
  
  
  
• Will the students get free swim time?
  • We do our best to leave a few minutes for free swim at the end of the pool session. If you want more time, you can extend your pool rental, depending on availability. To ensure a better chance of having 10-15 minutes of free swim after the boating safety instruction, please be sure students arrive early and are changed and ready to begin at the start of your rental time.
  
  
  
• Can students bring their own life jackets?
  • We will provide life jackets for every participant. Personal life jackets (if they are clean) are permitted if they wish to bring their own.
  
  
  
• Is swimming ability required?
  • No, everyone will be wearing a life jacket. All swimming abilities are welcome to participate.
  
  
  
• Are chaperones required to get in the water?
  • No, but any adults are welcomed and encouraged to participate whether it be in the water or on the deck.