Though the video was posted to YouTube in August of last year, it has just recently gone viral, prompting discussion about the benefits and dangers of trying to teach young children to swim.
"I must say though I find it very unsafe to not be in the water with the child, and allow the child to put so much distance between you two," one commenter wrote.
Elizabeth's father, who identifies himself as Adam BC, says in the video's caption that both he and his wife are professionally trained in CPR and water safety. He says he is a nurse and his wife is a lifeguard and that Elizabeth has been taught by "infant swim instructors."
"At no point do we force our child to do anything she is unwilling to try. We are able to recognize infant/toddler fatigue in the swimming pool," he says.
Elizabeth is a very determined little girl and sometimes she wants to roll over and breath as she was taught and sometimes she wants to hold her breath the whole way. I was 100% prepared to jump in at first sign of distress.
