Five minutes of reading can save a life, especially during these hot months. It’s summertime and the water is calling us in all forms; pools, hot tubs, oceans, lakes, even bathtubs. Water safety is important to know and learn as it can only take a second before a child or uncertain swimmer could drown. Death and injuries occur every day from drownings. Here are some tips from the American Red Cross to help prevent any water-related injuries.
Water Smarts
Take these sensible precautions when you’re around water (even if you’re not planning to swim):
- Know your limitations, including physical fitness and medical conditions.
- Never swim alone; swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present.
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity. Always wear a life jacket while boating, regardless of swimming skill.
- Swim sober.
- Understand the dangers of hyperventilation and hypoxic blackout.
- Know how to call for help.
- Understand and adjust for the unique risks of the water environment you are in, such as:
- River currents.
- Ocean rip currents.
- Water temperature.
- Shallow or unclear water.
- Underwater hazards, such as vegetation and animals.
Swimming Skills
Learn how to perform these 5 skills in every type of water environment that you may encounter (such as in home pools, oceans, lakes, rivers and streams):
- Enter water that’s over your head, then return to the surface.
- Float or tread water for at least 1 minute.
- Turnover and turn around in the water.
- Swim at least 25 yards.
- Exit the water.
Helping Others
These actions will help your family avoid emergencies – and help you respond if an emergency occurs: