A ground-breaking study from Norway is sending ripples through the world of aquatic education. The research, published in Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy, tracked 83 children aged 9 to 10 and found that swimming skills demonstrated in indoor pools often fail to translate to open water conditions. Nearly half of the children who performed confidently in heated indoor environments struggled when placed in a natural lake, prompting experts to call for a major shift in how swimming is taught.
Originally reported by ScienceBlog.com
Cold Truth: Why Environment Matters
“Swimming in a warm indoor pool in your swimming trunks is a completely different experience from falling into a cold fjord, lake, or river, perhaps in the dark with all your clothes on,” said Jon Sunday from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
In the study, children were first tested in a 27–28°C indoor pool, then again in a 15–16°C lake. Although both environments had similar depth and stillness, the temperature difference triggered a dramatic drop in performance.
Skills Most Affected in Open Water
Three abilities showed the most deterioration:
- Water Entry: Cold shock led to panic and involuntary hyperventilation
- Surface Diving: Reduced visibility and frigid water disoriented children
- Back Swimming: Children instinctively lifted their necks to avoid cold water, distorting form
These reactions stem from the cold shock response, which typically peaks between 10–15°C and causes gasps, cognitive impairment, and motor dysfunction — a potentially deadly combination in real-world drowning scenarios.
Open-Water Gap in Aquatic Education
While around 80% of children passed the swimming competency scale in a pool, that figure dropped to just 30% in open water. This supports what water safety experts have long known: environment matters.
“Most drowning accidents occur in natural environments, where currents, low temperatures, and visibility reduce self-rescue chances,” said Monika Haga, Professor of Physical Education and Sports at NTNU.
Interestingly, the few children who maintained strong performance in both environments had previous informal experience in open water — highlighting the importance of exposure and real-world context.
Rethinking Swim Education: From Pool to Practice
The study used the Swimming Competence Assessment Scale, which evaluates six essential skills:
- Water entry
- Front swimming
- Surface diving
- Floating
- Back swimming
- Water exit
While most national curriculums focus on these fundamentals, many programs don’t mandate outdoor practice, leaving a false sense of readiness for children and parents alike.
The researchers advocate for:
- Supervised outdoor swimming sessions in lakes, rivers, or oceans
- Pool training that simulates real-world stressors (e.g., cold water, clothes-on swimming, variable visibility)
- Integrated education about cold shock, currents, and environmental awareness
American Lifeguard USA Perspective
At American Lifeguard USA, we echo these findings. Our training programs emphasize that water safety cannot be confined to a pool deck. Real-world preparedness must include:
- Scenario-based training in open water settings
- Clothing drills, which teach swimmers how clothing weight affects buoyancy and movement
- Cold water conditioning and how to manage physiological shock
- Risk assessment and environmental awareness modules for instructors and lifeguards
We advocate for aquatic education reform that bridges the gap between pool proficiency and situational competence — especially for children, lifeguards-in-training, and community responders.
Key Takeaways for Parents, Educators, and Policymakers
Swimming ability is context-dependent — don’t assume pool skills equal open-water safety
Cold water training saves lives — it builds the resilience needed in emergencies
Mandatory outdoor swim lessons should be part of every school curriculum
Include rescue techniques, floating skills, and basic self-rescue in swim programs
Encourage lifeguard-level education for teens and young adults in every community
Article By Avani James
Avani James is a safety education writer and training advocate with American Lifeguard USA, focusing on real-world swim preparedness, drowning prevention, and inclusive access to lifesaving education. His work aims to bridge the gap between theory and action, helping communities become water-smart and rescue-ready.
