“What if I told you that you can nearly eliminate the leading cause of death for children under 4? Well, you can!”
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Red Sea Infant Aquatics, a groundbreaking survival swimming program, has recently opened its doors in Jeddah. Founded by GSP representative Christian Pratt, the program is designed for children aged 7 months to 4 years, teaching them critical survival skills that could one day save their lives. Over a four-week course, infants and toddlers learn to roll over and float on their backs from various positions in and out of the water. For older children who can walk, the program extends to teaching the SWIM–FLOAT–SWIM progression, enabling them to swim to safety at the pool's edge.
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged 1-4, a tragedy that is often preventable. While adult supervision is essential, studies show that 88% of child drownings occur even when an adult is present. Drowning can be fast and silent, sometimes occurring in less than 60 seconds. Red Sea Infant Aquatics, under Pratt's guidance, addresses this threat by teaching young children to roll from a face-down position in the water to a face-up floating position, allowing them to breathe and stay safe.
“We don’t know how to swim, and we are afraid of the water. We didn’t want this for our children,” shared a relieved parent.
Pratt has always been near the water. Whether it was fishing trips with his father, water skiing with his grandparents, or spending long hours in the pool during hot Texas summers, water has always been a significant part of his life. After the birth of his daughter, Pratt wanted her to enjoy the same fun experiences he had but with an emphasis on safety. His search for water safety solutions led him to the Infant Aquatics program, where he recognized the severity of infant drowning as a global public health issue. This realization inspired him to become a certified instructor, not just for his daughter’s safety but to offer lifesaving skills to other children as well.
“My baby knows how to float better than me!” - parent
The Red Sea Infant Aquatics program is intensive yet brief, consisting of 10-minute lessons, 4-5 times a week, over a span of four weeks. Thanks to the support of Team Up for Sports Academy, Pratt has successfully introduced this life-saving initiative to Saudi Arabia, where he is currently the only certified instructor in the Kingdom. His goal is to continue teaching survival swimming to young children in Saudi Arabia, aiming to make water safety an integral part of childhood.