Nothing feels better on a hot summer day than a swim in a cool pool or lake. Unfortunately, there are serious risks associated with that cool swim. Every year 1000’s of people, trying to have fun and beat the heat, drown in avoidable accidents. There are a number of things that you can do to avoid the dangers of drowning while enjoying water this summer.
The main thing to do is learn how to swim. If you, or members of your family, plan to spend time on or near the water this summer you need to take swimming lessons. Almost every public pool offers swimming lessons and nobody should enter the water without taking them. Contact your local Red Cross to find out about “Learn-to-Swim” programs in your area. These Red Cross swimming lessons are taught to people of every age, and they progress from basic breathing and floating to life saving techniques.
Once you and the members of your family have taken and passed some basic swimming lessons there are still some things you can do to avoid water-related accidents. Set up a set of rules that everybody abides by. Your list will be specific to the needs of your family, but an example of a list of water rules might look like this:
· No Diving
· No boating, rafting, or using jet skis without a life vest
· No swimming alone
· No swimming out past where you can hear people on shore
· Swimmers must spend 15 minutes on land every hour
· No swimming when you can see lightning.
· No swimming at night
Talk about this list of rules with your family and make sure everyone is “on board”. Also, get used to looking for and obeying the posted rules in all public swimming areas. Teaching children to respect and obey rules when they are in the water will help them to be cautious, even when you aren’t around.
Another important thing to do is never mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol reduces inhibitions and impairs judgment. It also reduces coordination and physical abilities. There is nothing good that will come from drinking and swimming. Drinking and boating is just as dangerous as drinking and driving. Be a good example to your children and your peers by enjoying your drink after you are finished with swimming for the day. Kids will make decisions by watching what you do more than by listening to what you say so make sure you are teaching by your actions when you tell them not to mix alcohol with water sports.
No matter how strong of a swimmer you are, you should still use a personal flotation device when using a boat, a jet ski, a raft, or a kayak. Too many things can happen when you are using watercraft. The best swimmer in the world will drown if they are knocked unconscious or paralyzed from an accident. In many states, there are laws that say you must use a life preserver when using watercraft. Even if it isn’t a law in your state your should protect yourself by always using a Coast Guard approved flotation device when using a watercraft.
Finally, the best way to avoid drowning is by being informed and aware. Know the dangers of whatever water environment you are in. If you are in the ocean, find out about the currents and the undertows. If you are at the lake, know about the weather in that area. The more you know, the safer you will be. Once you know about the dangers be vigilant in monitoring for them. Perhaps the water your are swimming in is cold. Learn the signs of hypothermia and how to prevent it. Whatever the specific danger, be specifically careful of that thing. Follow your own rules and good common sense and have a fun, safe summer.
