What is a key benefit of integrating safety skills into swimming lessons?

Integrating safety skills into swimming lessons is vital because these skills teach essential self-survival capabilities. Swimming can present various risks, and understanding how to respond safely in the water is critical for everyone, especially beginners or those unfamiliar with aquatic environments. These self-survival skills encompass techniques such as floating, treading water, and emergency protocols, which can prevent drowning and enhance overall water safety. By prioritizing safety skills, instructors provide students with the tools necessary to navigate potentially hazardous situations confidently, ultimately making them safer swimmers and more aware of their environment. While aspects like competition, teamwork, and scoring can be important in swimming, they do not address the immediate necessity of safety awareness and self-preservation in aquatic settings.