WSVN — Four-year-old Bowen is jumping in the pool now, but about a year ago he fell into a neighbor's pool by accident.
Norman Marzan: "We heard a splash, and nobody happened to be in the pool at the time."
His dad Norman says it happened so fast there was little time to react.
Norman Marzan: "We started to notice that he had already come up using his arms and legs."
Bowen was able to get himself to the side of the pool and hang on until someone pulled him to safety, all thanks to the swim survival lessons he had just started taking!
Stacy Layer: "It is absolutely critical for a child in Florida to know how to swim."
Miami Children's Hospital offers swim lessons for kids six months of age and up.
Stacy Layer: "Because they're constantly at risk being exposed to a body of water."
Ava is only eight months old, but she has already learned some life-saving moves in the water.
Megan Rogers: "She learned how to go under and how to roll over on her back and she's working on floating right now."
The idea is to get babies to be able to float on their own.
Megan Rogers: "Once they're in the body of water, them being able to roll over onto their back and come up and float until help arrives."
Her parents admit it's a bit nerve-wracking to watch, but necessary.
Ryan Rogers: "We already feel better about her ability to rescue herself should some sort of accident happen."
As kids get older, they learn new skills.
Stacy Layer: "About two or three we typically start to teach them paddling and kicking and getting to the edge."
Survival skills little Bowen used to save his own life.
Ryan Rogers: "Taking them for swimming lessons is something you just don't do for fun, it's a lifesaver for them."
Now is a good time to sign your little one up for swim lessons.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Miami Children's Hospital Swim Program:
Visit: www.mchdanmarinocenter.com