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Viral video: Baby swimming controversy

Posted at 10:26 AM, Jul 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-07-01 12:26:06-04

CNN- A video of a 16-month-old baby swimming in a pool unattended is stirring controversy. Adam Christensen posted the video of his daughter, Elizabeth, online. She was trained by a professional instructor.

But some parents are chiming in, questioning whether it is safe.

Christensen spoke to CNN and said safety is always his first priority, “When I first watched her in there, every time she went face down I was like ‘Oh my goodness, she can’t breathe.’ I was just worried to death, but the instructor assured us that she was just fine. The instruction is not actually teaching them how to swim, but rather engaging their reflexes. There are a lot of aspects of the video that I understand where people are very worried, like for example, there’s nobody in the pool with her. Well, if you watch lifeguards, you’ll notice that they’re because it’s actually easier to jump in and save somebody when you’re on the side of the pool rather than wading through the water.”

Christensen says Elizabeth loves the water. She swims up to three times a day a day and can dive under water to pick up toys.