Learn Swimming: Step-by-Step Guide

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How To Learn To Swim?

Summer is quickly approaching which means it’s almost time to go swimming! Many of us look forward to these summer months so we can spend more time outdoors enjoying the weather with our family and friends. This summer, us at Coast2Coast want to make sure you’re prepared to have a safe summer. In today’s blog post, we will be discussing:

  • Can you learn how to swim by yourself?
  • What are the steps to learn how to swim?
  • How do I get over my fear of swimming?

Register for Mobile Swimming Lessons

At Coast2Coast, we provide Mobile Swimming lessons in the Greater Toronto Area! Inquire about our Mobile Swimming program today and gain confidence in your swimming skills.
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How to learn to swim by yourself?

One of the most asked questions in swimming is: can you learn how to swim by yourself? Although it is possible to learn by yourself, we do recommend that you learn how to swim with a trained instructor for safety purposes. If you have no prior swim knowledge, you will increase your risk of drowning.

Options to learn swimming

  • Take a course with a trained instructor

The safest and highly recommended way to learn how to swim is by signing up for swimming lessons with a swim school and have an instructor teach you the proper skills. Swimming instructors will not only teach you different swim strokes, but also teach you lifesaving skills such as treading water. To learn faster, you can ask your instructor for homework to practice more on your own time in a safe environment.

If you want to learn how to swim with an instructor, Coast2Coast offers swimming lessons for all ages. We offer public swimming lessons, mobile swimming lessons and integrated swimming lessons.

  • Practice with a friend or family member

Another way to learn how to swim is with a friend or family member who is a strong swimmer and knows the techniques and strokes. In case of an emergency, you will likely be able to get help from them. Although this is a safer option than swimming by yourself, we still strongly recommend to attend a swimming school with certified lifeguards and instructors always on deck. Coast2Coast offers swimming classes with professionals always on scene who are experienced and trained at the highest levels of aquatics and drowning prevention. Remember to practice in the shallow end of the pool at all times.

  • Practice on your own

The least safe way to learn how to swim would be to practice on your own. If you are taking this risk, it is recommended to practice in the shallow end of a pool with an innertube or another floatation device on hand. Reading or watching videos on how to swim would be a way to prepare yourself before entering the pool. Please be aware that this is not a recommended option, though.

 

 

A swimming instructor kneels by the edge of a pool, smiling at three young children in swim caps and goggles sitting on the poolside. The children are laughing and appear to be enjoying their swimming lesson.

Swimming Lessons for All Ages!

It’s never too late to learn how to swim. If you have access to a pool, we can teach you! Contact us today to set up your mobile swimming lessons.
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What are the steps to learn how to swim?

Knowing how to swim is a great skill to have. Keep in mind that everyone learns at different levels, so these steps may not work for you. If you are fearful of water, scroll down to read how to get over your fear of swimming.

 

1) Become comfortable with the water

Begin practicing in the shallow end of a pool with your swimming instructor. You want to be sure you can stand up comfortably if you lose your balance or need to take a break.

 

2) Practice floating

Keep in mind, our body is naturally a pretty buoyant as we fill our lungs with air. All our bodies are different, though. You can practice floating, first, by holding onto the edge of a pool and lifting your legs off the ground. Practice both on your stomach and on your back while holding onto the edge of the pool. Once you feel comfortable floating while holding onto the edge, you can practice floating in the shallow end of a pool alone or with the assistance of your swimming instructor or another person.

 

If you ever panic while swimming in deep water, resort to floating on your back and try to relax. Give yourself time to calm down before beginning swimming again.

A swimming instructor in a pink shirt guides a child in a blue swimsuit using a kickboard in an indoor pool. The child is floating on their stomach, and the instructor is providing support while standing in the water.

 

3) Practice blowing bubbles underwater

In the shallow end of the pool, take a deep breath before submerging your face underwater. Exhale fully with your nose. Small bubbles will form. You can also practice by exhaling through your mouth.

If you’re uncomfortable blowing bubbles through your nose, you can wear a nose plug or hold your nose closed with one hand and exhale through your mouth.

It also may be helpful to wear goggles while going underwater. Make sure the goggles fit properly or else water may enter them.

 

4) Practice kicking

The safest way to practice kicking is by holding onto the edge of a pool like in the picture below. The most typical kick to practice is a flutter kick. You will keep your legs fairly straight while alternating which leg is kicking. This is a great, and safe, way to practice kicking techniques while staying afloat.

Once you feel comfortable kicking while holding onto the edge of a pool, you can try practicing while floating on your back in shallow water.

 

Five children in swim caps and goggles line up at the edge of an indoor swimming pool. They are smiling and lying on their stomachs with their hands on the pool deck, ready to enter the water. One child splashes water behind them.

 

5) Practice arm strokes

Once you feel comfortable kicking your feet, you can begin practicing arm stroke techniques. To begin, start with backstroke. Not only is it one of the easier strokes to learn, but it will also keep your face above water. To perform a backstroke, start by floating on your back. You will then lift one arm straight out of the water, palm forward, fingers together. While keeping that arm straight, bring it back towards the side of your head, then underwater. Continue moving your arm in a circular motion along the side of your body and repeat. You will do this with both arms, alternating them.

You will also need to add in kicking with your legs. Flutter each of your legs with a slight bend in both knees. Keep your toes pointed.

 

 

WARNING: While learning to swim alone, use a pool with a lifeguard. It is never recommended to swim alone unless you are a strong swimmer.

Practice Swimming Skills With a Certified Instructor

Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or an expert, our swimming instructors are here to help you! Practice any of your swimming skills with a trained swimming instructor. Our swimming programs are tailored to YOU!
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How do I get over my fear of swimming?

Many people are afraid of water and swimming simply because they were never taught how to swim. Others may be afraid because of a previous traumatic experience (e.g. almost drowning). How do you get over this fear and enjoy the water?

 

Take it slow and build confidence:

  • Mentally prepare yourself: Accept that you’ll be entering a pool and begin learning to swim. Fear is psychological and can be overcome. A swim instructor can be a great resource to help you face this fear.

 

Gradual acclimation to the water

  • Get comfortable around water: Start by simply sitting on the edge of the pool with your legs in the water. This will help you build water confidence at your own pace.

  • Gradually submerge your body: Slowly submerge more of your body into the water, eventually reaching chest-deep water.

 

Desensitize yourself to water on your face:

  • Splash your face: Once comfortable in chest-deep water, try splashing your face. You don’t need to go completely underwater unless you’re ready. This will help you get used to water touching your face.

 

Practice basic skills with support:

  • Go underwater (optional): When comfortable, take a deep breath and try going under the water for a few seconds each time. Wearing goggles and plugging your nose can help. Once underwater, blow bubbles out your mouth or nose.

  • Hold onto the pool edge and practice floating and kicking: This is a great way to get comfortable with these fundamental swimming techniques.

 

Invest in proper instruction:

  • Use flotation devices: If your child is nervous about the water, a pool noodle, swim board, or other flotation devices can offer a sense of security. These tools let your child get comfortable in the water while giving them extra support. They can be great for practicing kicking and basic arm strokes in a safe and enjoyable way, especially during those first swimming lessons.

  • Take swimming lessons: The best option is to learn how to swim with a trained instructor. Not only will they teach you proper swimming skills, like freestyle swimming and breathing exercises for swimming, but they will also help you face your fear and keep you safe during water safety training. Inquire about swimming classes to begin your journey towards enjoying the water! Remember, consistent practice swimming is key to improving your skills and building confidence.

 

Important Safety Tips for Swimming with Children

Learning to swim is fun, but safety should always come first! Here are some important tips to keep in mind when children are in the water:

  • Adult Supervision:  Never let children swim alone. Constant adult supervision is essential to ensure a safe enjoyable experience and make them feel confident. 

  • Shallow End: Beginner swimmers should stay in the shallow end where they can stand up and never go near the deep end. This builds confidence and reduces risks. Being near the shallow end allows the children to regain their footing in water if ever they lose their balance.

  • Life Jackets: Experts suggest that life jackets and flotation devices should be worn by everyone, not just young children and inexperienced swimmers. These provide extra support and buoyancy for those still mastering their swimming skills.

  • Buddy Up: Encourage children to swim with a buddy for extra safety. This system enhances safety and makes swimming fun. Ensure that the companion is always within the reach of the child and both of them are aware of each other’s location at all times.

  • Breathing Techniques: Breathing techniques are as important as floating techniques. Start teaching children basic breathing techniques early on. Even simple practice like blowing bubbles helps familiarize them with breath control in the water. Constantly practicing these basic techniques could help them familiarize with the process and prepare them for more advanced skills later on.

 

Learning how to swim may seem like a daunting task to some, but it’s a great skill to have. You need to take time to practice your swimming skill in order to get better. Once you’re comfortable with your swimming abilities, you’ll be able to enjoy the pool, beach, lake and more with your friends and family safely. Enjoy the process, you’ll be swimming laps like a fish.

 

Invest In Yourself

Knowing how to swim is an essential and sometimes life-saving skill! Register for mobile swimming lessons with one of our experienced instructors today.
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Free First Aid Workshop for North York

A large memorial on a city sidewalk features numerous flowers, candles, stuffed toys, and heartfelt messages. People walk nearby, and buildings are visible in the background.

It has been one year since the devastating North York van attack that left 10 people killed and 16 injured. On April 23, 2018, a man drove southbound on Yonge Street, plowing into pedestrians on the sidewalk between Finch and Sheppard. 9-1-1 was called and paramedics were dispatched to the site.

 

After this attack, Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics Inc organized and hosted a free First Aid training workshop for the Toronto community in hopes of breaking the bystander effect. “There’s too many people watching an incident happening and people don’t take action,” Ashkon Pour-Heidary, an owner of Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics, said. “You see a crowd and then you don’t know if you have to be the person to call 911 or not, or the other person has to call 911, and then at the end no one calls 911.”

 

The workshop was set up in stations under multiple tents where you could learn one part of First Aid and CPR skills at a time. There was a great turnout with many Toronto community members, including police officers and other trained professionals, with a desire to learn First Aid.

 

Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics plans to host another free First Aid and CPR training workshop near the anniversary date of the attack. We plan to set the workshop up the same as last year, making each tent a separate First Aid & CPR station which will be providing important life saving skills and techniques that will be critical in the moment of emergency. We will supply proper First Aid training equipment including CPR dummies and will be taught by Canadian Red Cross trained instructors.

 

We are planning to do this event even bigger and better by inviting non-profit organizations to come out and join our cause to raise awareness for safety preparedness as well as help us raise money.

Celebrate Life-Saving Heroes!

heck out our “Train the Next Hero” photo gallery for 2024! Discover inspiring moments from our training sessions and see how everyday individuals are becoming heroes in their communities.

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2024 Update! Join us for our next Train the Next Hero in August.

Upcoming train the next hero event

Get ready for the upcoming event in North York, “Train the Next Hero 2024,” where Toronto citizens can participate in a free first aid and CPR workshop. This highly anticipated event has garnered immense interest in previous years, with over 800 enthusiastic attendees. It’s a unique opportunity for individuals to learn life-saving skills that could make a significant difference in emergency situations. Whether you’re a newcomer eager to learn or a seasoned citizen looking to refresh your knowledge, this workshop promises to empower and equip attendees with essential first aid techniques. Don’t miss out on this chance to be prepared and potentially save lives!

Register for First Aid Training

Register today for a First Aid training course and learn how to deal with emergencies and keep your loved ones safe! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.

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Essential Steps to Stop Bleeding with First Aid

A healthcare professional wearing gloves is bandaging a wound on a person's wrist. The bandage has a visible bloodstain. The person receiving care has a floral-patterned sleeve, and the professional is wearing a burgundy sleeve.

Some of us think only accidents happen to those who take part in risky behavior or are on the more adventurous side, but the truth is an accident can occur anywhere at any time. Besides choking, internal and external severe bleeding are some of the most common emergencies we experience and are unaccustomed to handling unless we have proper First Aid training and a first aid kit at hand.

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November 14th is World Diabetes Day

At Coast2Coast, we continuously want to bring awareness of conditions that can be helped with CPR/AED and First Aid training. This November, we want to bring attention to Diabetes, as World Diabetes Day is on November 14th.

Over 11 million Canadians are diagnosed with diabetes, or pre-diabetes. Did you know every 3 minutes, a Canadian is diagnosed with diabetes?! Considering that almost 1 in 3 Canadians have some form of diabetes or pre-diabetes, it is easy to say we probably know at least one person with diabetes. In that case, we need to understand what exactly diabetes is, what happens if a diabetic emergency happens to someone around us, and how we can be prepared for a diabetic emergency.

What to know about Diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition, which is characterized by the body’s inability to process glucose (commonly known as sugar) in the bloodstream.

The pancreas, which sits right behind the stomach, releases insulin, a hormone that causes glucose to move from the bloodstream into your cells, where it is used to create energy for the body.

For someone who has diabetes, the pancreas either deteriorates the insulin before reaching the bloodstream, or the body’s cells are unable to reciprocate to insulin. With ether scenario creates an abnormal increase of glucose to the body.

A person with diabetes can manage their condition, by injections of insulin or oral medication. A well-balanced diet and healthy & regular exercise regime plays a huge role in maintaining a healthy body with diabetes as well.

The timing of meals and snacks is critical along with proper use of medication to maintain their insulin levels. When daily routine is disrupting this routine, either by going on a holiday, or becoming ill and not taking diabetic medication, can fluctuate the sugar levels more than usual.

Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 appears when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells in the pancreas. This causes small amounts, or even no insulin to be distributed in the body. As a result, sugar builds up instead of being used as energy. Only ten percent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes normally develops in childhood or adolescence, but can develop in adulthood as well. Type 1 is always prescribed with insulin. A planned diet also helps with keeping blood sugar at the right levels.

Type 2 diabetes takes place when the body can’t properly utilize the insulin that is released (insulin insensitivity), or does not create enough insulin. About ninety percent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed as an adult, but can be diagnosed to children in extreme cases. It requires a healthy meal plan, daily exercise and medication such as insulin or glucose tablets.

There is also pre-diabetes, with estimates of almost 6 million Canadians carrying the condition. Prediabetes refers to glucose levels that are above the average level, but still are not high enough to be considered for type 2 diabetes. Although not everyone with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes, most people will.

It is very important to know if your body contains prediabetes, because extensive medical research has determined that some long-term complications associated with diabetes (heart disease, strokes, ulcers) may begin with pre-diabetes.

What Kind of Diabetic Emergencies Can Occur?

With low levels of insulin can result in either two ways: hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia develops when insulin levels are too high in relation to the level of glucose in the body. Small doses of glucose are burned easily through energy, and with missing meals and snacks, exercising more than your daily routine, can offset your balance and cause an insulin shock. It is the most likely cause of diabetic emergencies.

Hyperglycemia develops when insulin levels are too low and the level of glucose in the body is higher than average. If one who has diabetes eats more than usual, does not exercise, and does not take proper medication can result in a diabetic coma.

If one is suffering from a diabetic emergency, the most common symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Non-responsive communication
  • Behavioural changes including confusion, irritability, or aggression
  • Rapid breathing
  • Cool, balmy skin
  • Very pale skin
  • Appearing as intoxicating (e.g., slurred speech, difficulty walking)
  • Feeling ill
  • Seizures

What Do I Do If Someone Has A Diabetic Emergency?

CALL 911 if:

  • You are unable to give the person sugar
  • The person is not fully awake
  • The person has a seizure
  • The person does not respond after ten minutes of given sugar or insulin

If the person is unable to follow simple commands, to swallow safely, or is unresponsive, ensure that 911 has been called, and place the person in the recovery position.

If they are able to follow simple commands, answer questions, and swallow safely, offer 15 to 20 grams of sugar.

Check the nutrition facts on packaged products to determine how much to provide to the victim. The following are samples of sugar to give, listed in order of preference:

  • Oral glucose tablets
  • Chewable candy
  • Fruit juice
  • Fruit strips
  • Milk
  • Other forms of sugar, such as non-diet pop or a spoonful of granulated sugar mixed into a cup of water

Monitor the person’s condition for 10 minutes:

  • If the person’s condition declines or fails to improve within 10 minutes, call 911 and provide more sugar if it is still safe to do so
  • If the person’s condition improves, suggest that they have a full meal and contact their doctor if needed

Some people with diabetes may have a prescribed glucagon (similar to insulin) kit to use in case of an hypoglycemic emergency.

Glucagon is a hormone that prompts the liver to dispense glucose into the bloodstream. The glucagon kit is only used when the person is unresponsive, or is unable to swallow.

Only those who have been properly trained to use glucagon kit may administer this medication. For someone who has diabetes, they will often reach out to those who they spend frequent time with (co-workers, fellow students, teachers, coaches, family members, close friends) to ask if they may receive training to learn how to administer a glucagon injection.

If you know someone who has diabetes, ask them about it, and see how often they have had diabetic emergencies. If you spend a reasonable amount of time with this person, have your surroundings prepared such as:

  • Soft area to lie down (blanket or pillow)
  • Have dispensary sugar or oral glucose tablets on hand
  • A charged phone to be able to call 911 if needed
  • Knowing where the person with diabetes carries their insulin or glucagon kit

At Coast2Coast First Aid, we provide training to know about diabetes and how to help those in diabetic emergencies through our Emergency and Standard First Aid courses. You will learn hands-on what to do in various situations, as well as how to implement insulin or glucose tablets. With over a third of our population carrying some form of diabetes, we need to be ready for any situation, which you can do by registering for Coast2Coast First Aid today!

Register for First Aid Training

Register today for a First Aid Training course and learn how to deal with emergencies and keep your loved ones safe! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.

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What is the Coast2Coast Mobile Swim School?

mobile swimming or public swimming

Coast2Coast Swim School teaches everyone of all abilities, from beginners to advanced! We offer a unique and diverse program that allows many to swim who otherwise might not have the opportunity to do so.

Our Mobile School brings our certified and highly experienced Canadian Red Cross instructors to your door! Our instructors are trained to teach anyone and everyone of all abilities, as we have an evaluation lesson first so we can get to know the comfort level of the swimmer, as well as their ability, and their swimming goals.

For young swimmers, we offer the Canadian Red Cross Swim Kids program, as well as our Coast2Coast Swim School program. Both programs work closely together with you as a parent, relative or caregiver, and together with our instructors, we make sure your child receives the most rewarding swim training in the Greater Toronto Area!For adults who want mobile lessons, we offer a similar program with combining Canadian Red Cross programming geared towards teens and adults.  

Our mobile swimming instruction starts your residence, whether it be a condominium pool, a backyard pool, or a community pool that is close to your location. We bring the fun to you!

 

A child and an adult sit at the edge of a pool, splashing water. The child wears a blue swim cap and outfit, while the adult wears a pink and orange top with black shorts. Both are smiling and enjoying the water.

Dive into Personalized Swimming Lessons!

Enhance your skills with private swimming sessions tailored just for you! Our experienced instructors provide one-on-one guidance to help you build confidence and improve your technique in the water.

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Why Mobile Swimming?

Our program is based on research which concludes that many are hesitant to enroll in swimming lessons for themselves, or for their children, as it includes transportation issues (dealing with public transit, far away swimming centres, long commutes in traffic), and many are uncomfortable swimming in unknown settings.

Our Mobile program can be rid all of issues by bringing our instructors to you. No longer will you have to worry about the inconvenience of taking your children to and from lessons, or for yourself, having to use transportation to get to and from a pool not in your area.

Our program strives to make anyone an active and forgoing swimmer! The combination of the Red Cross and Coast2Coast program trains all of our students regardless of age and ability to be the best in technique and efficiency. With our evaluation lesson, the instructor bonds with the pupil and understands the needs of the swimmer, what is to be expected from the mobile course, and what goals are to be obtained from our program. We make sure everyone is in their correct level to begin their road to expertise swimming!

The Red Cross Swim Program and Coast2Coast Swim School teaches all five strokes (front crawl, back crawl, breaststroke, elementary backstroke, and sidestroke), promotes fitness and endurance, and gives swimmers lifelong skills to safely enjoy other swimming and water activities.

We not only encourage our swimmers to be proactive in the water, but in all aspects of their physical well-being. Swimming is an an essential skill builder that contributes well over to any physical activity. From being a rock-climber, to a hockey player, to surfing the waves on vacation, one’s strength and personal athletic skills climb with the expertise of one on one swimming training.

 

 

Three people in swimsuits stand at the edge of an indoor pool in a diving pose. A man on the left appears to be coaching two women, both bent over with arms extended and toes at the pool's edge, ready to dive. The pool area is well-lit.

Why Coast2Coast?

The Red Cross is one of the most recognized brands in the world. Your parents, caregivers, friends, and co-workers have probably all learned to swim under the Red Cross banner. You may already understand our programs, and what value they hold for you and your own children.The Coast2Coast Swim School program is based on a foundation of having highly experienced Canadian Red Cross trained instructors matched with enthusiastic swimmers who challenge each other to go beyond their goals they have desired.   

Many of us living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have the luxury of having access to a pool, whether it been in our backyard in the suburbs, or our condominium pools that don’t require us to leave the building (hint** for winter enrollment). Yet, many of us who have access to these pools do not properly use them, simply because we are afraid to try something new and maybe look ‘foolish’, or for our children’s sake, we are scared for their safety that something may happen if they choose to swim.

At Coast2Coast, our number one priority is training swimmers to their best ability to prevent drowning and water-related accidents. Our Mobile Swim Instructors are immensely prepared in situations where drowning or accidents may occur, and are constantly supervising their pupils throughout their lessons.

Along with swimming technical training, our training is also water safety and how to handle water situations such as lakes, oceans, outdoor public pools, ponds, and even over frozen water, where many drowning incidents take place each year. We strongly advise that all children should be supervised while in any water-related facility, even your own backyard pool!

In Canada, 1 in 5 drowning fatalities are age fourteen years and younger, mostly due to having zero to little training, as well as unsupervised play in the water. Coast2Coast is determined to lower that statistic with our distinguished swim lessons. We deeply care about the children of our communities, and want only the best for them to be eminently educated in swimming and water-related injury prevention.

Logo featuring two stylized blue swimmers and wavy lines, a red cross symbol, and the text "Red Cross Swim" in black and blue fonts.

 

 

So whether you are an inexperienced adult swimmer, or a parent or guardian wanting to protect your children, Coast2Coast is the option for your swimming desires.

Contact our office by calling 1-866-291-9121, or emailing us at [email protected] to begin the registration process, where we will ask you a series of questions to find you or your children the best instructor for your needs and preferences

 

Register for First Aid Training

Register today for a First Aid Training course and learn how to deal with emergencies and keep your loved ones safe! Check out our facilities and book your spot now.

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