S.O.A.P. (Strategies Overcoming Aquatic Phobias) Program

09/25/2017

Fear of water-THINK TANK

One of the reasons why I thought this group would be very helpful to aquatic professionals who work with a significant number of fearful swimmers/non-swimmers is that it would give us a voice. I was hoping that other, longer established, well respected, valuable, bigger, well respected organizations who had more resources regarding marketing and promoting, might take notice of both our mission, value and needs and give some serious thought to the millions of people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and life experiences, who suffer from fear surrounding water. As Aquatic Specialists who work with this population, we see a very, very small part of the problem that keeps millions of people out of the water. As a result of that fear, they miss out on all the physical, emotional and recreational benefits that result from feeling comfortable, confident, independent and most importantly safe in and around water.
Personally, I've been trying to rally support for our efforts and get involved in some way, any way, any amount for over twenty years. The leaders of these organizations come up with every excuse in the book and then some. I've become a thorn in their side and flicked away like an annoying mosquito. I applaud the smaller aquatic facilities that include programming for fearful swimmers/non-swimmers. It's a great start, but not nearly enough to really put a sizable dent in this global problem. For every non-swimmer, due to fear, there's one more potential drowning victim, not to mention the emotional, physical, occupational, relationship, problem solving, social, as well as the willingness and coping skills needed to try new activities and so much more.
Rather than continue to vent, I would love to see if any members of this new organization who might blog, or skill sets in social media, or have contacts in the mainstream/traditional media, might step forward and up and introduce some ideas that would help us help those who desperately need our expertise, experience and passion on how we can overcome the lack of support from these other aquatic organizations and the media.
This group needs to make some noise, we need to be heard. We owe it to all those people whose lives we could make infinitely healthier and happier. We deserve it, but more importantly, after so many years of disregard and neglect, our potential clients need it.
Please give this some thought, think outside the box, get creative, network with others, but most importantly remember how wonderful it feels to help a person overcome their fear of water and learn to swim and be able to participate in all the wonderful aquatic activities out there.
Remember, "Fear can be a powerful motivator, rather than a painful deterrent", but only if people know we are here, ready, willing and able to help them andFORhelp save lives.
Thank you,
JeffKrieger, MS
www.WaterPhobias LLC
[email protected]
727-741-3088
ADMINISTRATOR FOR "Fear of Water-Think Tank!!!!!!

09/21/2017

My eyes almost came out of my socket when I read the opening line of Ms. Hunt's article. How wrong can one statement be and how can a world renowned Swimming Magazine allow such a huge misconception be printed? This is the kind of lack of thinking and out right lies that we are all dealing with. Drowning is a serious issue, but putting out incorrect information will not help in efforts to reduce the number of drownings.

The rest of the article offered by Nathan Tschohl is spot on and I applaud his efforts.

By Norah Hunt, Swimming World Intern.

As swimmers, being comfortable in the water comes naturally to us. We take for granted how effortlessly we can slide across the surface, how completely relaxed we feel blowing bubbles at the bottom of a pool or floating on our backs, staring up at a cloudless sky. To us, the water is a way to recharge; it is our safe haven against the business of the everyday world. It represents power and control and tranquility.

But it is not that way for everyone.

In the United States, every day about ten people die from drowning. Two of these are children 14 and under, and for every child that drowns there are five that must receive emergency medical care due to submersion related injuries. Internationally, drowning is an even larger epidemic. Drowning rates are significantly higher in low and middle income countries where a substantial part of the population cannot swim.

In Bangladesh, drowning accounts for 43 percent of all deaths in children from ages 1-4 years old, and in Africa the drowning rates are 10-13 times higher than those in the United Kingdom. In Cambodia, drowning is the leading cause of childhood mortality, and 2094 Cambodian children die from drowning each year. This statistic is not even an accurate measure of the true mortality rates, because children that drown in Cambodia are rarely taken to a hospital, and thus are not counted in that country’s death records.

Photo Courtesy:
Photo Courtesy:Nathan Tschohl
Shockingly, the swimming community is by and large unaware of these statistics. As people that pride ourselves on our ability to “eat, sleep, swim” we are incredibly ignorant to the thousands of deaths that occur each year in the water, a place that has always felt like home to us. Drowning is a problem that we are vaguely aware of, but we are not at all educated on how large of a problem it is.

iCAN SWIM trainees
Photo Courtesy: Nathan Tschohl
Nathan Tschohl and the International Water Safety Foundation are striving to unite the two groups. On September 27 at 5 p.m., over 65 swim teams and organizations will come together in a massive Tread-A-Thon to raise money for their programs as well as SWIM Cambodia, an initiative to teach swimming and basic water safety skills to the people of Cambodia. The main idea? Treading water for as long as possible to raise awareness. Most events will have a webcast, and the hope is to cause a splash in the swimming community and to raise awareness of the drowning fatalities that occur both in the United States and internationally.

Tschohl hopes that the event will serve as a wake up call for swim organizations across the country. “There is a big disparity between the swimming community and the drowning community,” Tschohl explains. “We need to wake up and bridge the gap between the two groups. I did all the normal things swimmers did: I was a lifeguard, I swam on club and college teams, I coached. The one thing I didn’t do was realize how many people were drowning.”

09/21/2017

This is what I've been screaming about for several years now, along with the use of most PFD. Please read and getb into the water with your child and you be their personal flotation devices.
Experts Caution Against These Fashionable Floaties for Babies
Infant neck floats are popular on social media, possibly dangerous in real life.
By Nate Traylor
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
In the aquatics industry, inflatables are generally frowned upon. The argument against their use, whether worn around the waist or arms, is that people learning to swim can develop a dependency on them.
That's why some experts are alarmed to see that a flotation device designed for babies to wear around their necks is becoming fashionable.
Neck floaties, which allow babies to hang vertically in the water, were originally designed as medical aids for children with disabilities, but now they’re marketed as a way to give able-bodied little ones independent mobility.
Social media is fueling their popularity with cute pictures of babies floating like buoys, prompting experts to denounce their use.
Kyran Quinlan, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Rush University Medical Center and former chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention, calls the inflatable neck donuts potential death traps.

They've also been subject to recalls.
In Queensland, Australia, the Office of Fair Trading recently recalled two such products being sold on eBay, for failing to comply with safety standards. Officials there noted that if the neck holes are too loose, babies can slip through. If they’re too tight, they can restrict breathing.
Others have raised concerns that the neck-cradling design could cause undue strain, which Otteroo dismisses.
"No one has yet published a study on potential strain related to an infant neck float, but basic understanding of the infant body and water’s buoyancy logically explain how there’s virtually no weight or strain placed on the baby when floating in the water with an Otteroo," the company said in a recent blog post.
Beyond the physical dangers, there is the baby’s psychological well-being to consider.
The Swimming Teachers Association in the United Kingdom, which published a report detailing the risks of neck rings, says the devices could cause parents to disengage with their floating tots.
“The pictures conjure up a dream of busy parents: calm babies floating safely under supervision, their faces securely maintained above water, while adults can relax and sip smoothies on the side, confident that babies are having a treat,” the report warns.
That defeats the purpose of baby-swim classes, which are designed to encourage interaction.
In the report, swim instructor Shawn Tomlinson further illustrates the potential isolation saying, “A neck ring creates a vacuum where the baby is incapacitated and cannot connect with anyone or anything. There are no safe boundaries to touch or feel. Self-expression through body language, which the water ideally facilitates, is lost because movements are restricted.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nate Traylor joined Hanley Wood in 2013 as a senior editor of Pool & Spa News and Aquatics International. He's written about Elvis Presley's pool, underwater hockey and how skateboarders may be the pool industry's last best hope. He lives in Los Angeles. Follow him on Twitter .
PoolSpaNews Home Page
POOLSPANEWS.COM

09/14/2017

Hi Everyone,
I'm overwhelmed by all the responses that i received today. What the heck was I thinking.? How can I give up my passion and purpose. I can't stop, not now. Words can never express how wonderful all your comments meant to me.Thank you so much for your responses and support. I'm ready to go back to work all because of you. Thank you all with my heart and soul.
Stay Gold!!

09/13/2017

Hi Everyone, It is with a heavy heart that due to personal reasons, I will no longer be offering the SOAP Program. I will leave the site up for those who still want to use it. Thank you for all your support best wishes to you all. Keep fighting the fight and STAY GOLD!!!

08/30/2017

Yesterday I had a very disappointing day. One that is so symbolic of one of the many forms of character that either have been diluted to the point that they are unrecognizable, or we have lost completely. One of those characteristics is having a backbone. I think by now all my friends and those who are not, but are aquatic professionals and follow my posts regarding my expertise aquatics, due to my knowledge and experience in helping either people who suffer from varying levels of fear surrounding water, or those who, as I do, help them overcome their fear surrounding water.I'm an open book when it comes to helping either group. I'm the member of several aquatic groups, whose members ask for my help, which I share happily and freely.

Yesterday I responded to a question in "Swim Teachers Network" that was not directly related to my field of expertise, but being an aquatic professional for over 45 years, I think that I've held just about every position in the field. I offered my thoughts, which several members of that conversation disagreed with, which is what these groups are all about. You share experience, knowledge, suggestions and opinions. Not everyone will agree with what anyone offers, but it's done so in a professional matter. In this case, one woman who responded, not only completely disagreed, but did so in a most unprofessional manner. I read their posts, apologized if I had said anything inappropriate and suggested that we agree to disagree. They were all fine with that, except one who called my comments rude. We went back and forth on this until her comments became bizarre and made no sense at all. Much later in the day, the group's administrator jumped in and said that my comments were not rude at all, but asked that we both discontinue our conversation, which we had done long ago.

My comment for the administrator is that there must be boundaries in any group or organization and that her comments should have been directed at the person accusing me of being rude, draw a line in the sand and keep it there. If a member crosses that line, the administrator should ask that person to either apologize or leave the group. The problem with her lack of leadership, is similar to what is part of a big problem everywhere. There seems to be no longer a "right" and a "wrong", the gray area is growing and allowing people to not take responsibility for their actions. The Administers absence of administrating in this case sets a poor example to other member of the group and a message that anything goes, no boundaries, no consequences for actions. Does that types of behavior ring a bell to anyone?? Well it rang mine and to all the members of the "Swim Teachers Network", I hope you understand my position and as always, feel free to post any question you might have for me on my FB site or email them to JeffKrieger@WaterPhobias LLC and I will happily respond as I've done so in the past.

Keep up your wonderful work as swim instructors, you are making a world of difference in people's lives.

Stay well!!

Jeff Krieger, MS
CEO WaterPhobias LLC
[email protected]
727-741-3088

08/16/2017

Ban them and most all PFD's. Teach and supervise your child or have a professional do so, but help children develop their aquatic IQ, teach them all aspects of water safety and supervise them at all times in or around water. As I have advocated before we need a Federal Water Safety Director, better training for aquatic professionals and more accountability for their actions or lack of and better, more responsible parents. Meaning, if they need to learn all things required to keep their children safe in water, learn it, practice it and become an advocate for it.
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Jeff Krieger
Jeff Krieger Why are the so called "experts" on water safety staying silent on this issue in the US? Why isn't the American Red Cross, Step into Swim Campaign, USA Swim School Association, YMCA and JCC Aquatic Programs and other leaders in the Water Safety Arena on top of this very important issue? WHY, you ask.......like most other similar issues like this, money drives the bus. Time to hop off that bus, get your priorities straight and tell the truth about this issue!!!

Two baby neck floats are banned from sale after Queensland's Office of Fair Trading found they could cause drownings.

08/09/2017

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to the "Fear of Water Think Tank". I'm sorry that I've taken so long to get back to this concept, but I'm sure you're all very, very busy like me. With the help of fellow Life Saver, Life Changer and Aquatic Professional, we have started a page for the group , "The Fear Of Water Think Tank". Please send in your request to be a member of this special group on FB. Please forward this invitation to any other aquatic professional who you feel would have an interest in joining us.

As the "Mission Statement" explains, this group will be a closed group, open to only those who work with children and adults who are fearful swimmers/non-swimmers and would be interested in sharing knowledge, experiences and referrals. Please feel free to also email or call me with questions, suggestions or just to introduce yourself.

I firmly believe that we can help the multitude of people who are largely neglected by the aquatic community. Please help change their lives and join a wonderful group of aquatic professionals!!

Jeff Krieger,MS
CEO WaterPhobias
www.WaterPhobias.com
[email protected]
727-741-3088

08/06/2017

Every now and then I get a thank you that changes my life. This is one of them:

Hi Jeff,
Hope you're doing well. I apologize for the delay but wanted to send you my testimonial so you could post it to your website. Here it is

Words cannot express the life changing experience I have gone through in learning how to swim with Jeff. I have always wanted to learn how to swim but lacked the confidence and dedication to pursue it enough to learn. That all changed this summer when I took classes with Jeff at the Riverdale club over 4 days 15+ hours. I live in Chicago and seeing how much success my husband (who was extremely water phobic) had with Jeff I decided to take lessons. Jeff besides being an incredible instructor is the most patient, kindest person I have ever come across. He has taught me not only how to swim but important life lessons as we went through the sessions. The ability to overcome fear, the confidence to try new things including going into the deep end of the pool and learning to tread water are things that will stay with me for ever. I cannot thank Jeff enough for what he has taught me. I am very proud to say that I can swim now without the fear of drowning. My technique is nowhere near perfect and I have a lot of hours of practice left but I look forward to swimming laps in the loop everyday!!!!

Thank you Jeff for everything you have taught me from the bottom of my heart. We miss you!

Sincerely,
Aditi

07/15/2017

In think my grandkids love the water more than grandpa and that's saying alot!!!

06/11/2017

“The Fear of Water Think Tank” Mission Statement

This newly launched group is available to any aquatic professional that currently works, or wishes to work with fearful swimmers and non-swimmers. Unfortunately, there are very few professionals and aquatic schools and programs that offer the highly unique skills specifically required to help this widely diverse group that knows no boundaries. This exaggerated fear prevents people from ever feeling comfortable, competent, independent and safe in water. Traditional learn to swim programs rarely help these individuals, but we can. This Think Tank can serve to allow those who do work with these individuals by sharing information, experiences, as well as training workshops and material. The group can also serve as a referral center that can assist members of the group who receive requests for help from individuals to overcome their fear from across the globe.

06/06/2017

Most children love spending their time in the pool during camp. It is the highlight of their day and they learn very important water safety skills that will serve them for a life time. However, sadly many children spend their swim time sitting on the side of the pool, to afraid to enter the pool. This can lead to a very unhappy camper and a miserable summer. Please inform your camp's Director and Aquatic Director about your child's issues surrounding water. If the camp staff does not have a qualified aquatic professional who is experienced with situations like this, find help else where. Please do not ignore or deny the issue exists. Find help and help your camper find their smile in the pool.