Dataset_Do infants avoid a traversable slope leading into deep water?

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of age and locomotor experience on infants’ avoidance of submersion when a slope is offered to access the water. In addition, infants’ tendency to enter the water on the water slope was compared with their tendency to fall into the water on the water cliff (Datasets_Real Cliff / Water Cliff cross-sectional study; https://data.mendeley.com/drafts/pnj7wv3g2s).
Seventy‐seven infants, 43 crawlers and 34 walkers were tested on the water slope.

The Water Slope apparatus is a 10° inclined ramp installed in a swimming flume. The 1‐m‐long starting platform was above the water level and the 5‐m‐long ramp began out of the water (5 cm above water level), leading to a water depth of 75 cm (below the mothers’ feet).
Infants’ safety was ensured by a track and pulley system with an attached harness. The pulley could move the entire length of the track, above the apparatus, following the infants’ movements without constraining them. A rope was tied to the infants’ harness and was held at its other end by the experimenter responsible for the infants’ safety. Infants were free to explore the apparatus and as soon as the infants’ chin touched the water they were pulled up and they were conducted to their mothers. The tests were ended if after 2.5 minutes after touching the water the infants did not reach the submersion point (i.e., chin touching the water).