Water Safety

Posted byMary Kate IunghuhnPosted inKid Safety, SUMMERTags:, , , , , ,

One of the kids’ favorite summertime activities is playing in the water. No matter if it is the pool or the lake, you still need to remember that when you are having fun you need to follow safety rules. No need to have an accident during your summer. 

Why Is Water Safety So Important?

It only takes a second for a child or someone who can’t swim well to drown. Drownings can happen really fast in pools, hot tubs, the ocean, lakes, rivers, bathtubs, and even little buckets of water, so we always need to watch kids carefully around water.

The Red Cross wants everyone to learn how to swim well and be safe around water. By working together to improve our swimming skills, learn water safety rules, and know how to help others, we can stay safe and still have lots of fun in the water.

What Does It Mean to Be Water Competent?

Water competency means learning to be safe around water for yourself and others. It involves knowing water safety rules, developing good swimming abilities, and learning how to help someone who is struggling in the water.

Water Smarts

When around water, take these precautions (even if you’re not planning to swim):

  • Be aware of your physical abilities and any medical conditions that could affect your safety in the water.
  • Never swim alone – make sure lifeguards or other water watchers are present.
  • Wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket suitable for your size and the water activity, and always wear one when boating no matter your swimming ability.
  • Never swim after drinking alcohol or using drugs.
  • Learn about the risks of hyperventilation and hypoxic blackout (passing out due to lack of oxygen) before swimming.
  • Know how to properly call for help in case of an emergency while in the water.
  • Be aware of and adjust for the specific risks of the water environment, such as:
    • River currents
    • Ocean rip currents
    • Water temperature
    • Shallow or unclear water
    • Underwater hazards, such as vegetation and animals
Swimming Skills

Practice and learn these 5 skills for any water environment you may be in, whether a home pool, ocean, lake, river, or stream:

  1. Enter water that’s over your head, then return to the surface.
  2. Float or tread water for at least 1 minute.
  3. Turn over and turn around in the water.
  4. Swim at least 25 yards.
  5. Exit the water.
Helping Others

Follow these steps to help prevent emergencies with your family and know how to respond if one does occur:

  • Closely supervise and watch any children or weak swimmers who are in or near the water at all times.
  • Learn to recognize the signs that someone is drowning. Some signs may be:
    • The person is quiet — this is particularly the case with children
    • They are hyperventilating or gasping
    • They remain upright in the water, not using their legs
    • Their eyes are glassy, unable to focus, or closed
    • Their hair might be covering their forehead or eyes
    • Their head is low in the water, and may be tilted back with the mouth open
    • They don’t seem in distress — they may look blank, or can’t answer whether they’re alright
    • They’re trying to roll over on their back, unsuccessfully
    • They appear to be climbing an invisible ladder
    • They’re trying to swim in a particular direction, but making no forward progress
  • Know how to safely assist someone who is drowning, such as “reach or throw, don’t go” into the water yourself.
  • Learn CPR and basic first aid in case you need to assist in a water emergency.

Learn to Swim 

Everyone likes to go swimming in the summertime. But it does not hurt to take swimming lessons no matter what age you are. This helps you be safe and not drown while having fun. Here are some local places you can take swimming lessons:

If you’re looking for other places that do swimming lessons, check with your local pool or aquatic center in your town. 

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