Swimming And Water Safety Tips

Swimming is a great activity. Not only are there lots of physical benefits, it’s also something the whole family can enjoy. But like a lot of things in life, it also comes with risk.

Drowning — according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1-14 years, and the fifth leading cause for people of all ages. So water safety should be a concern no matter where you and your family swim.

General Water Safety

Enroll children in swimming lessons at an early age. Risk of drowning is decreased by as much as 88% when children aged 1-4 years take swimming lessons. Adults can also benefit from refresher courses. Many cities have swimming lessons available through local parks and recreation programs as well as gyms with pools.

Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). It can mean the difference between life and death. Check with the Red Cross about registering for a CPR class in your area. The University of Washington School of Medicine has great information and videos on learning CPR.

Use only U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Young and inexperienced swimmers may want to use a life jacket. Do not use any sort of air-filled or foam toys. They are not designed to keep swimmers safe.

Children should always be supervised. Whether you’re in the backyard, a public pool, or at the beach, make sure there is a responsible, designated person to watch the water when children are swimming.

Swim with a buddy. It’s a best practice for swimmers of all ages, including adults.

Avoid alcohol. It impairs your judgment, balance, coordination, and your body’s ability to stay warm. Avoid it when swimming and supervising children.

Don’t hyperventilate. Swimmers should avoid hyperventilating breathing faster and/or deeper before swimming underwater or trying to hold their breath for long periods of time. This can cause them to pass out and drown. It is best to relax and breathe normally when swimming.

Enter the water feet-first. Serious injuries including paralysis can occur from diving head first into unknown water and hitting the bottom. Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

Test the water temperature before you get in. Jumping into cold water can shock your body and elevate your heart rate and blood pressure, and also slow your muscles, making it difficult to swim.

Have a phone handy. No matter where you are swimming, the ability to call 911 in an emergency could be a lifesaver.

Swimming Pools

Secure with appropriate barriers. It is best to install a four-foot or taller fence around backyard pools and use self-closing and self-latching gates that open away from the pool.

Consider safety alarms. If your house opens directly into the pool area, you may want to install a door alarm or self-closing door. Using a surface wave or underwater alarm will also give you added protection from accidental falls into the pool.

If a child is missing, always check the pool first. If a child has fallen into the pool, every second counts in preventing an accidental drowning.

Empty portable pools when not use. Children can drown in as little as one inch of water. Make sure all portable inflatable and baby pools are drained and put away immediately after use.

Remove toys from the pool when it is not in use. They can attract young children into the pool. It’s best to keep them stored out of sight.

Keep a safety kit handy. A first aid kit that includes a pair of scissors to cut hair, clothing, or a pool cover should be kept within reach in case of an emergency. Lifesaving equipment such life rings and reaching poles are also recommended.

Stay away from pool drains. Limbs, hair, or clothing can become entangled if a drain is faulty. If you suspect they may not be functioning properly, ask your pool service provider to inspect them.

Follow posted safety rules. These usually include no running, pushing or dunking.

Oceans, Lakes, and Rivers

Swim near lifeguards. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the chance of drowning at a beach protected by trained lifeguards is less than one in 18 million per year. Lifeguards can also advise you on the safest place to swim and what areas to avoid.

Stay within designated swimming areas. They are usually marked by ropes or buoys and are more likely to be free of weeds, rocky underwater terrain, and other dangers.

Don’t swim in polluted water. Pay attention to warning flags or alerts about contaminated water. If you are unsure whether water is clean enough to swim in, it is best to not get in.

Know your limits. Swimming in open water is much different than in a pool. Cold water, currents, and other dangerous conditions can challenge even the strongest swimmers. If you are unsure about your limits, you may want to start out slowly and not venture too far from shore.

Knowledge is key when it comes to water and pool safety. Educating children from a very young age, and keeping yourself informed, can lead to a lifetime of healthy, safe swimmers.