Mer-Assistants: 3 More Reasons to Never Swim Alone

For today’s post, I will continue last week’s Mer-Wrangler post with three MORE reasons why a professional mermaid should never swim alone! If you haven’t checked out last week’s post, you can find it here: 3 Reasons to Never Swim Alone. A big thank you to Lila and anyone else who has ever helped me with a mermaid event! These posts are proof that I couldn’t do it without you guys!

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Reason 4: Help in the Water

Last week, I focused on some wonderful ways that a Mer-Assistant can be helpful before a mermaid even touches the water. When a mermaid moves under the sea (or under the pool!), she is restricted by many factors, including in staying in character and maintaining costume while surrounded by swimming children.

Once I’m in the water at an event, I am usually in the water until the end of the party. My assistants will monitor my needs, and often they have to know what I need because it’s hard for me to ask without breaking character. They bring me water, snacks, toys for games—and so much more! Also, in the water there aren’t physical boundaries that can help me maintain comfortable boundaries with children in the water. When there are a lot of kids competing for my attention, the they tend to close in, wanting to get closer and closer. With a swarm of kids around me, it can be difficult to monitor the tail at all times, and I can become overly anxious that sneaky and curious children might try to discover my feet through the seams of the tail. A proactive Mer-assistant can keep the crowds at a safe distance as simply as saying, “Okay, everyone! Let’s take a BIG step back!”

I was at one party this last summer which proved to me that I wouldn’t survive an event without an assistant. Nashville’s allergy season is basically January through December, so my nose can get a little dry throughout the year. While I was getting ready for the party that morning, I got a small nosebleed while I was curling my hair. I didn’t think too much about it. It happens often enough throughout my life that it caused no particular concern other than it might make me late. It was over quickly, however, and as I finished my hair and make-up, I forgot about it until I was sliding into the water at a young girl’s birthday party. After my first underwater dive, I resurfaced with a slow trickle of blood running down my face. I. Was. Mortified. and I had no idea what to do. Lila swooped in to save the day, however! While I held on to the wall, bleeding out on a mermaid-themed napkin, Lila distracted the party guests with games like simon-says. If I hadn’t have had her assistance, I don’t know what I would have done! Who knew that a nosebleed could cause so much trouble!

Reason 5: In Case of Emergency

Pools can provide all kinds of fun and enjoyment for kids and adults of all ages, but sometimes, accidents and emergencies can happen. Thankfully, I have never experienced a life-threatening situation as a mermaid, but I know that fun can turn dangerous in a moment. Seriously, I’ve worked 5 summers as a lifeguard—and though I may be trained to handle any situation, all that can change from within a costume. The best way to stay safe is to prevent any emergencies before they happen. Asking parents and older guests to watch their children while they swim is ideal, but distractions happen quickly. A Mer-assistant can provide yet one more pair of eyes, which might just make all the difference!!

Reason 6: Someone’s Got Your Back!

On a lighter note, it’s such an amazing feeling to know that someone has your back, no matter what! Many times my mermaid events take me to new places—private homes, YMCAs, country clubs, etc.—some of which have been over three hours away! I feel more comfortable and in control because I am sure of the one person by my side.

Because I often get to events at least an hour early, my Mer-assistants help pass the down time! Lila and I have so much fun talking and goofing around before a party starts after I get in costume. Without her, I don’t know what I’d do!

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For my fellow mermaids, I hope I have provided some very strong reasons to never swim alone. Please have someone with you, if only to keep you safe, comfortable, and confident! For anyone looking to hire a mermaid, rest assured that Mermaid Kira never works alone, for her own safety and for the safety of her human friends!

Best Wishes and Swimmy Fishes,

Mermaid Kira