Water Safety Tips

As warmer weather begins, so do trips to the beach, ocean, lakes and pools. As someone who swam competitively for 10 years, was a Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, Swim Coach, and Lifesaving Instructor, water safety is crucial. Swimming is an important skill everyone should learn, and it is important you are comfortable around water.

1.2 million people drown every year.* These drowning’s are preventable and avoidable; which is why it is important you learn basic water safety skills, and teach your children. Swim lessons are important in teaching children (and adults), how to swim; but, just because you have taken swim lessons, does not mean you are a strong enough swimmer to not require supervision. Drowning can be silent. You won’t necessarily hear someone if they are struggling, and drowning can happen very quickly. Here are some of my tips for water safety, for you, and your children:

Take swimming lessons. This may seem like an obvious one, but it is important. Everyone should be comfortable around the water – knowing how to swim saves lives. Even if you are an adult, it is never to late to learn how to swim, or to brush up on your swimming skills.

If you have a backyard pool, ensure appropriate safety measures are taken to prevent accidental drownings. This is especially important if you have young children. Ensure children cannot access the pool without adult supervision.
Also, make sure your safety measures cannot trap wildlife, or pets. Animals can get into pools (and many seek water out if it is hot out); if the safety measures taken are not done properly, the animals can drown if they have no way out.

Wear a life-jacket! If you or your child are not comfortable around the water, and are not good swimmers, wear a life-jacket! My husband and I are both good swimmers (my husband also took lifeguarding/lifesaving courses); but when our son is at our cabin (especially on our dock and in the boat), he will be wearing a life-jacket. Why? Because when someone is struggling, or drowning, they end up under the water. This is important to take into consideration the next time you are at a body of water.
Consider the depth. Would you be able to dive to the bottom and bring someone else up? If not, ensure any weak swimmers are wearing life-jackets, or that they do not go into deep water.
If you are going boating, ensure everyone onboard has a life-jacket. Conditions on open water can change in an instant, and it is important to always be prepared.

Do your research on the body of water. Going camping this spring or summer near a river, or foreign body of water? Do your research on the body of water you are planning to visit. Does it have strong currents? Undertow? How deep is it? These are all important factors to consider before visiting and jumping in. Even strong swimmers will have difficulty in strong currents and undertow – avoid these areas if you can.
If you ever find yourself in a strong current, DO NOT FIGHT IT. You will wear yourself out, resulting in a higher chance of drowning. Try to swim diagonally, with the current, in hopes you can reach shore. If you see a log, rock or anything else you can grab on to – do it!
Current is often worse on the surface – undertow is different as it is under the surface. If you are caught in current and are able to hold your breath, go underwater – try to swim beneath the strong current, and get to safety.
Another key factor to research before going into a new body of water: how deep is it? If the water is murky, or you cannot tell the depth, DO NOT DIVE IN. The water could be shallow, or there could be objects laying beneath the surface that you cannot see. Diving in could result in a head injury, and that is not something you want to risk.

Avoid swimming in the dark. Swimming when it is dark out can be beautiful and peaceful, but it can also be dangerous. If something were to happen, your inability to see the water and what lies below would prove difficult. If you, or the people you are with, are not strong swimmers, try to avoid a late night dip – especially if you have been drinking.

Have a first aid kit. A first aid kit is great to have even if you are not going to a body of water. Having a first aid kit with supplies is great to bring everywhere (and have at home)!
The most important first aid kit supplies to have are:
– emergency telephone numbers (EMS/911, your local poison control centre, and your emergency contacts)
– sterile gauze pads to put over wounds
– adhesive tape
– roller and triangle bandages to make a sling if needed
– adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
– scissors
– tweezers
– safety pins
– instant ice packs
– disposable gloves
– flashlight (with extra batteries)
– antiseptic wipes and soap
– emergency blanket
– eye patches
– thermometer
– barrier device (pocket mask, or face shield if CPR or mouth to mouth is needed)
– coins for a pay phone (you don’t always have cell service)
– a first aid manual

Know your location. This is important, no matter where you are. It is critical you know your location and address in case emergency services are needed. As well, tell others where you are going, so if you are not in contact with them by a certain time, they will reach out, or try to look for you.

When in doubt, don’t go out. If you are not a strong swimmer, don’t push yourself. Don’t go into deep water, and don’t exert yourself – it will make it harder for you to stay afloat. Wear a life-jacket.
If you are a weak swimmer, and you see someone who is struggling to stay above the water, DO NOT TRY TO SAVE THEM BY GOING INTO THE WATER YOURSELF.
If you approach someone who is struggling, or drowning, the first thing they will do, is grab onto you and push you under (it is a reflex, because they are panicking and want to get their head as far out of the water as possible). This will result in you going under, and you will both be in trouble.

If you see someone struggling in the water:
– call for help – alert others around you, and call 911
– see if anyone has a flotation device you can throw to the person struggling
– try to flag down a boat, or person going by on the water – see if they are able to assist
– note their location in the body of water for when help arrives. Keep your eye on the person, as they tend to drift, or move in the water. If they end up going underwater, note the area that you last saw them and inform trained personnel when they arrive

Don’t be scared of the water. Don’t fear the water. The water is where I have had some of the best times of my life. It can be fun when you know how to swim, and take precautions to prevent accidents from happening.

I hope you have a great spring or summer, no matter what you end up doing! If you have any questions about water safety, please ask me below, and I would be happy to answer them for you!

*https://www.ilsf.org/drowning-facts-and-figures/