Dry Drowning takes place after children have a serious near drowning incident. Water has to get in the lungs you will know this has happened you won't be surprised by it.

We just got done doing a swimming class for our 2 year old and this was addressed in the class. I highly recommend you take a class with your children. Classes for younger than 3 years old are done with parents in the water. It'll make both your children and you much more comfortable and safe.

I assume you take the preventative measures for SIDS?

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Sudden-infant-death-syndrome/Pa...

DO: as a parent, wake up repeatedly and check your infant for symptoms of SIDS three times a night. Ensure wife does the same 5 times a night.

I'm speaking a little in hyperbole here, but you get the point I'm sure.

Don't they have infant and toddler level swimming classes?

Yes, and it's possibly the best time to start! "Mommy and Me" swim class when I was 18 months old meant that I learned to swim before conscious memory - I don't remember not knowing how to swim.

My mom was a great parent and wonderful overall, but that was a particularly excellent decision of hers. She was still careful with my little brother and me around water - we were enrolled in Red Cross swim classes during the summers in elementary school, and always had lifejackets on at the lake. Despite being terrible at pretty much all sports (unlike my athletically-gifted brother), I was always a decent swimmer.

Both of my kids can happily float /doggie paddle in floaties so far, with the older one in daily classes. She started at age 6 months--she's old enough to understand it, but the article that prompted my fears was about a 6 year old who just happened to inhale enough water to make a difference a week later. My younger one is still testing to see what he can get away with, and can't communicate things like "hey my chest feels funny" yet.

When my wife and I were on our honeymoon we watched a couple throw their 6 month old (10 month maybe? wasn't walking, only crawling) in the pool over and over again. Most of the pool looked on in horror, but they had taught her the "leg kick to turn over onto her back and float" skill. Definitely gave us perspective.

Best to stick em in the basement till they're 40!