Summer is almost here, and for many Americans that means time near the water whether it’s a backyard pool, a lakeside campsite or a beach vacation. But before you wade in, there’s one question worth asking honestly, can you actually swim?
It turns out, a significant number of adults either can’t enter the water at all or aren’t nearly as capable in the water as they believe. And with drowning deaths on the rise among adults after decades of decline, experts say now is the time to take stock of your abilities.
The gap between confidence and reality
According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 19.4% of women reported being unable to swim, compared to roughly 11% of men. More than half of American adults have never taken a formal lesson. Non white Americans particularly Black and Hispanic adults are significantly less likely to know how to swim or to have ever received instruction.
Yet many of these same adults are still spending time in and near the water. About half of the adults surveyed by the CDC said they had swum in a pool within the previous six months, while roughly 44.5% reported recent time near open water such as a river, lake or ocean.
Even among those who do know how to swim, the picture isn’t necessarily reassuring. A 2014 American Red Cross survey found that while about 80% of U.S. adults say they can swim, only around 56% could actually perform basic lifesaving maneuvers things like treading water or swimming 25 yards without stopping. That’s a gap of nearly 25 percentage points between perceived and actual ability.
Why this matters more than you think
Swimming isn’t just a leisure activity it’s a survival skill. Drowning can happen rapidly and to virtually anyone, including experienced swimmers. Factors like alcohol consumption, rough surf, or simply being caught off guard in open water can turn a routine moment near the water into a life-threatening situation.
Adult drownings are more likely to occur in large bodies of open water than in pools, and the rate of adult drowning deaths has been climbing since 2019, reversing a long downward trend. While men are statistically more likely to drown, rates among women have also been increasing.
The good news, knowing proper water survival skills can reduce drowning risk by as much as 88%. Regular practice builds muscle memory that can be drawn upon under pressure which is exactly when it’s needed most.
The 5 swim competency skills every adult needs
Experts identify five core survival skills that define true swimming competence. Think of these as the baseline every adult should be able to perform before swimming in any setting:
Enter a body of water that goes over your head and return to the surface on your own.
Float on your back and tread water for at least one minute.
Turn a full 360 degrees and orient yourself toward an exit.
Swim at least 25 yards roughly the length of a standard pool, or 75 feet without stopping.
Exit the water safely, without using a ladder or external support.
If any of those feel uncertain, it’s time to act before summer arrives.
How to sharpen your skills
The most effective way to improve in the water is straightforward: practice. Visit your local pool ideally one with a lifeguard on duty and honestly assess how you move through the water. Childhood lessons, no matter how thorough they were, are not a reliable baseline if years have passed without regular swimming. Swimming is a motor skill, and like all motor skills, it fades without use.
If you struggle with any of the five skills above, a swim lesson is the right next step. Local gyms, community recreation centers and swim schools all typically offer adult classes. The American Red Cross also provides swim instruction for adults at locations across the country. For those who are already competent and want to improve efficiency and technique, U.S. Masters Swimming offers detailed training guides online.
Staying safe every time you’re near the water
Competency in the water matters, but so does smart behavior around it. Never swim alone. Only swim in areas where a lifeguard is present. Wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket while boating, fishing or participating in any water recreation on open water.
Designate a dedicated water watcher any time children are present near water someone whose only responsibility is keeping eyes on the group, not checking a phone or socializing.
And be cautious about diving. Only dive in water that is clearly marked as safe, at least nine feet deep and free of underwater obstacles. Never dive headfirst into surf or murky water, where the risk of head, neck and spinal injury is serious.
Drowning is largely preventable. But prevention starts with an honest look at where you actually stand before you ever step near the water.
