Exiting the pool

Jun 22

Why We Teach Pool Exit at Moovswim

When we think about swim instruction, our minds often go straight to strokes, floating techniques, or underwater skills. However, one essential life-saving skill is sometimes overlooked: exiting the pool safely and confidently. Whether it’s a toddler beginning swimming for the first time or an older child refining aquatic safety habits, knowing how to get out of the pool is just as important as knowing how to get in.

At Moovswim, we believe every movement in the water serves a purpose – and exiting the pool is no exception.

Why Teach Pool Exit?

It’s important to teach the child how to exit the pool safely and efficiently. A proper exit routine protects the child from slips, sudden falls, and fatigue-related accidents. More importantly, it establishes a safety instinct that they will carry with them throughout their aquatic life.

Moovswim teaches pool exit early because this simple action builds essential safety behaviours and self-rescue awareness.

1. Prevents Slips and Accidents

Children often attempt to climb out impulsively — pushing off the wall too quickly or twisting their bodies in awkward ways. Teaching the correct sequence:

reduces the risk of slipping
avoids knee, chin, or forehead bumps
ensures a strong, stable grip on the pool edge

A predictable exit technique replaces impulsive motions with safe, deliberate ones.

2. Develops Self-Rescue Skills

A child who can exit the pool independently gains an early form of self-protection.
If they ever:

drift to the pool edge
become tired
need a “safe place”
accidentally fall in

they know how to pull themselves out safely.
This is one of the most valuable skills for real-world aquatic safety.

3. Reinforces Body Awareness and Strength

The exit technique teaches children to:

position their hands firmly
lift their bodies using both arms
bring knees forward to the edge
rotate their hips and seat onto the deck

These actions build coordination, upper-body strength, and confidence — skills that transfer to swimming strokes and wall-turns later on.

4. Encourages Respect for Boundaries

Learning to exit properly helps children understand:

where they can leave the water
when they should exit
how to stay safe while doing so

This boundary awareness is critical in pools, beaches, water parks, and holiday environments.

5. Promotes Calm, Controlled Behaviour

Moovswim emphasises calm, mindful movements.
Exiting the pool safely requires:

slowing down
thinking about each step
staying focused on the wall
following routine cues

These habits reduce impulsive behaviour and support better overall water discipline.

6. Completes the Safety Cycle

A safe swim session includes:

safe entry
safe movement
safe breathing
safe floating
safe returning to the wall
safe exiting

Pool exit completes the cycle and reinforces that water safety doesn’t end until the child is fully out of the pool and stable on the deck.

How to Teach Exiting the Pool at Moovswim

Teaching children how to exit the pool safely is an essential part of Moovswim’s water-safety philosophy. A proper exit protects the child from slips, reinforces independence, and develops early self-rescue awareness.
At Moovswim, we use a simple, memorable sequence that children can repeat confidently:
“Elbow, Elbow, Tummy, Knee.”

1. Begin at the Pool Edge

Bring the child to the wall in a calm, controlled manner.
Ensure the child:

is facing the pool edge
has both hands securely on the wall
keeps their body close to the edge
maintains stable foot contact with the floor or parent’s support

This position gives the child confidence and control.

2. Step-by-Step Exit Technique

Step 1 — Left Elbow on the Deck

Instruct the child to lift their left elbow up and place it securely on the pool deck.
This establishes the first anchor point.

Step 2 — Right Elbow on the Deck

Next, instruct the child to place their right elbow beside the first.
With both elbows on the deck, the child now has a firm base of support.

Step 3 — Lift the Tummy Up Onto the Edge

Guide the child to push through their elbows and lift their body upward until the abdomen rests on the pool edge.
The chest and tummy should be supported fully by the deck.

Step 4 — Bring One Knee Up

Once the tummy is on the edge, help the child bring one knee up onto the deck.
This creates a secure three-point position (two elbows plus one knee).

Step 5 — Crawl Out Safely

Finally, guide the child to crawl forward and completely out of the pool.
Keep movements slow, controlled, and deliberate.

3. Use the Moovswim Cue: “Elbow, Elbow, Tummy, Knee.”

Clear verbal cues help children remember the sequence.
Say each step slowly and confidently:

“Elbow, Elbow, Tummy, Knee.”

This transforms the exit into a predictable, learnable routine that children can eventually perform independently.

4. Safety and Teaching Tips

Stay close to the child to provide physical and emotional support.
Keep your hands near their torso for safety without doing the work for them.
Encourage the child to look forward or down at the edge to maintain balance.
Reinforce calm, steady movements—no rushing or twisting.
Praise every successful attempt to build confidence.

5. Why This Method Works in Moovswim

This exit technique helps children develop:

upper-body strength
body awareness
controlled movement
independent safety behaviours
early self-rescue ability

By practising this sequence every lesson, children learn how to leave the pool confidently and safely — a critical water-safety skill for all environments.

A Small Movement With Lifesaving Importance

At Moovswim, we teach pool exit not as an afterthought, but as a core safety skill. Just like floating or breathing control, it contributes to a child’s overall water confidence and autonomy.

By practising the correct exit each lesson, children learn: