My reasons for becoming a Certified Infant Aquatic Survival Instructor:

I am the mother of three terrific children, ages 25 years, 23 years, and 16 years.  After earning a bachelor’s degree in hotel management from Cornell University and a master’s degree in human resources from Cornell University/Baruch College, I married my college sweetheart.  Six years later, we had our first child, a daughter, who is the light of my life.  Two years later, our first son was born; and in October of 2007, we were blessed with the birth of a second son.  These children have enhanced my life immeasurably, and the joy and happiness I feel each day just being with them is indescribable.

Prior to becoming a Survival Swimming Instructor, I was the Vice President of a hospitality consulting company.  Being able to work from home allowed me the privilege of being an involved stay‐at‐home mom.  I was satisfied and very successful at my job, but my concerns for my children were always first on my agenda.  Although my mother’s brother drowned long before I was born, the impact of his death and the need for safety around the water was felt throughout my childhood.  Since I had a pool in my backyard and since my parents had a pool as well, water has always been a very big part of my life both when growing up and now.  I fully understand water’s potential deadly consequences, and the possibility of a terrible drowning accident suddenly seemed very real in my own life.  I became interested in researching water survival techniques.  After putting one of my own children through a survival swimming program, I knew that my destiny was to become a part of this life‐saving endeavor.  I have been involved in teaching infants, toddlers and young children how to swim and survive an accidental fall into the water ever since.  

Before teaching infants and young children how to float and swim, my previous experience obviously revolved around my own.  As an involved mother who is active in their elementary and religious schools, I regularly volunteer for classroom activities so that I have an opportunity to interact with children.  I started babysitting at a very early age, and I still have relationships with some of those families.  With my love of the water and my love and respect for children, it is not surprising that being a Survival Swimming Instructor would be a career that I would choose!  Working with my students has given me tremendous pleasure, especially when I see the satisfaction and self‐confidence that they display after learning something new.  Seeing their smiles after they realize that they can do it for themselves is incredible!  

Being a Survival Swimming Instructor is the most fulfilling job I have ever had!  There is no greater gift than being able to assist in saving a life.  Teaching babies and young children how to survive in a water‐related accident has now become my obsession.  It is an honor and a blessing all at the same time.  I look forward to assisting your children in becoming competent and confident survival swimmers!  

Sincerely,

Dena Blum‐Rothman
Certified Infant Aquatic Survival Specialist & Infant Aquatics Certifying Instructor 

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