Whether taking a dip in the pool or in the ocean, both adults and children should avoid danger.
General water safety rules
Enroll kids in swimming lessons at an early
ag. The risk of drowning decreases by up to 88% when children between the ages
of 1 and 4 take swimming lessons. Adults can also benefit from courses to
update their knowledge. Many cities have lessons available through local parks,
recreation programs, as well as gyms with swimming pools. You can also check
with the Red Cross about signing up for a swim with Lifeguard class in your area.
Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
Knowing how to do CPR can make the difference between life and death. Check
with the Red Cross about signing up for a CPR class in your area.
Use only United States Coast Guard approved
life jackets. Young and inexperienced swimmers should wear a life jacket. Do
not use any type of inflatable or foam rubber toy. They are not designed for
the safety of swimmers.
Swimming pools
Secure with appropriate barriers. It is
best to install a fence four feet or taller around backyard pools, and use
self-closing and self-latching gates that open out of the pool.
Consider security alarms. If your home
faces directly onto the pool area, perhaps you should install a door alarm or
self-closing door. Using a surface or underwater wave alarm will also give you
more protection against accidental falls into the pool.
If you can't find a child, always check the
pool first. If a child falls into the pool, every second counts to prevent
accidental drowning.
Empty portable pools when not in use.
Children can drown in even one inch of water. Make sure all inflatable, portable,
and baby pools are empty, and put them away immediately after use.
Oceans, lakes and rivers
Nothing near the lifeguards. The chance of
drowning on a beach protected by trained lifeguards is estimated to be less
than one in 18 million per year. Lifeguards can also advise you on the safest
place to swim and which areas to avoid. If there is no lifeguard class online on duty, pack
your own flotation device for emergencies.
Stay within designated swimming with lifeguard classes in USA. They
are usually marked with ropes or buoys and are more likely to be free of algae,
underwater rocky terrain, and other hazards.
Watch out for rip currents. They are
powerful, channeled currents of water that flow offshore and can occur on any
beach with waves, including the Great Lakes. The United States Lifesaving
Association has an extensive rip current survival guide.
Do not swim in contaminated water. Pay
attention to warning flags or alerts about contaminated water. Natural bodies
of water do not receive chemical treatments like swimming pools; therefore they
have a higher risk of spreading bacteria. Don't drink the water and cover your
nose when you submerge your head. Never swim when you are sick or have an
injury and always shower after swimming. If you're not sure if the water is
clean enough to swim in, it's best not to.
Be cautious
Avoid accidents and injuries by using your
common sense to take certain precautions. You should always:
Stay close to shore and swim within designated areas.
- Walking into unknown waters, never dive. There may be rocks and other hazards just below the surface.
- Insist on wearing a life jacket if you or one of your companions is an inexperienced swimmer.
- Check the weather. Never swim when lightning is forecast.
- Take a break if you start to feel cold, tired or hungry.
- learn how to respond
Prepare to respond quickly to these emergency situations:
Unconscious Swimmer: If you can get the victim to shore safely, do it quickly. Begin CPR and call 911.
Hypothermia: Prevent further drop in
temperature. Warm victim slowly and seek medical attention immediately.
Rip Current: Swim parallel to the shore
until you have exited the rip current, then swim towards the shore. If you get
tired, float on your back and kick.
Knowledge is key when it comes to pool and
water safety. Educating children from an early age, and staying informed, can
lead to a lifetime of healthy and confident swimmers.
Learn more about swimming: Do you want to perfect your swimming technique or do you just want to have a good time swimming?
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