Essential Water Safety Tips for Your Aquatic Adventures
With summer in full swing, pools, beaches, and lakes are the perfect place to cool off. As much fun as these places are, however, they also come with risks. According to the CDC, there are over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths in the United States each year. Children are at an increased risk, with drowning being the leading cause of death for children aged 1-4. In this article, we will examine some water safety tips to help you stay safe during your aquatic adventures.
Water Safety
Whether you’re swimming in a pool, relaxing at the beach, or enjoying the ocean waves – here are some water safety tips to keep in mind.
Watch Children Closely – Never leave children unattended, even for a quick second, when they are in or near a body of water.
Avoid Alcohol – Refrain from consuming alcohol before or during water activities as it impairs judgment, coordination, and reaction times.
Teach Your Kids to Swim – Teach children to swim early for their safety. Enroll them in swimming lessons to learn swimming and water safety.
Ensure Proper Equipment – Always use proper safety equipment, such as life jackets and flotation devices, especially for young or inexperienced swimmers.
Read Safety Signs – Always read and follow safety signs and warnings at pools, beaches, and other bodies of water.
Swim With a Buddy – No matter how good you are at swimming, always swim with a companion who can assist you in case of emergency.
Awareness of Hazards – Be aware of potential hazards such as rocks, currents, and marine life that could pose a risk in natural bodies of water like oceans, lakes, and rivers.
Find Lifeguard Station – Familiarize yourself with the lifeguard station before entering the water so you know where to go if assistance is needed.
Enter Water Feet First – Always enter water feet first to avoid diving-related injuries, especially in shallow or unfamiliar areas.
Take Weather into Account – Check the weather conditions before swimming. Avoid swimming during storms, lightning, strong winds, or dangerous currents.
Yacht Safety – Water activities like boating and sailing are fun, but you must ensure all passengers wear life jackets and are aware of safety procedures in case of emergencies.
What to do if someone is drowning?
If you ever witness someone drowning, it is crucial to act quickly and safely. Follow these steps:
- Assess the Situation – Ensure your own safety first. Do not enter the water if you are not a confident swimmer or if it will only put you at risk.
- Call for Help – Shout for assistance to alert people nearby. If there are lifeguards around, notify them immediately.
- Reach or Throw, Don’t Go – ONLY IF YOU ARE TRAINED and it is safe to do, extend a reaching object like a stick, rope, or pole to the person in distress. Alternatively, throw a floating object such as a ring buoy, a lifebuoy, or even a ball.
- Call Emergency Services – Even if the person seems fine after the rescue, it’s still essential to seek medical attention.
- Administer CPR if TRAINED – If the person is unresponsive and not breathing normally, begin CPR immediately.
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Resources
American Red Cross. (2018). Water safety. Redcross.org. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html
CDC. (2021, June 16). Prevention | Drowning Prevention | CDC. Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/prevention/index.html
CDC. (2024, May 3). Drowning Data. Drowning Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/data-research/index.html
CDC. (2024, June 5). Guidelines for Healthy and Safe Swimming. Healthy Swimming. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/safety/index.html
Tips for making safety part of your summer fun. Mayo Clinic Health System; Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/summer-fun-safety-tips#:~:text=To%20stay%20safe%20on%20the%20water%3A%20Always%20wear
Water Safety – CDC. (2019, November 22). Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/bam/safety/water-safety.htm
Disclaimer
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The Team at BSDI