In a photography series for the New York Times, Seth Casteel takes pictures of babies underwater who are experiencing self-rescue swim training. Through the infant survival swimming technique, babies are taught to hold their breath underwater, kick their feet, roll over onto their backs and float until help comes. The self-rescue swim teaching method was invented by Harvey Barnett in the late 1960s and is now practiced all over the world.
Seth Casteel has been photographing the phenomenon as part of a related book to be released next spring. The photographer also has extensive experience taking pictures of dogs underwater. He noted the incredible set of skills these babies have: "You watch them go under and flip over and come up to the surface and float and survive and stay calm."
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Infant Survival Swimming
- Opportunity for innovative swim training programs that teach infants essential water safety skills.
- Underwater Baby Photography
- Disruptive potential for photographers to capture unique moments and experiences of babies learning to swim.
- Self-rescue Swim Technique
- Potential for advancements in teaching methods and equipment to enhance baby swimming programs and safety.
Sectors Adopting This
- Swim Schools
- Opportunity for swim schools to incorporate infant survival swimming as a specialized training program.
- Photography
- Photography industry can explore underwater baby photography as a niche market for photographers.
- Water Safety Education
- Potential for water safety education organizations to develop resources and programs around infant self-rescue swimming techniques.
