Safety in the Water

Water sports can provide you, your family and friends with hours of fun. But, swimming, boating and diving can also result in drowning if you don't practice good water safety. Here are tips to help you make your time in the water safe and more fun.

General Rules For Water Safety.

Some may seem obvious, but they can save a life.

  Learn to swim.
  Never mix water and alcohol or other drugs.
  Always swim in a designated swimming area when possible.
  Never leave children without adult supervision, if you are baby-sitting YOU are the adult.
  Swim parallel to shore. If you swim out too far, you may be too tired to swim back.
  Never swim alone. If you are not sure if an area is safe for swimming, don't swim there.
  Never swim right after a meal, allow about an hour for your food to digest.
  Don't swim near piers or breakwaters. The currents here may be very strong, even for the best of swimmers.
  Stay clear of boats. They take time to change direction, and they may not even see you.
  Open water is usually much colder than a pool, so don't swim out too far.
  Heed weather advisories. Do not swim during thunderstorms or strong winds.
  Avoid turbulent waters.
  Do not dive into unknown water or into shallow breaking waves.
  Scuba dive only if trained and certified -- and within the limits of your training.
  No glass containers at the beach -- broken glass and bare feet don't mix.
   No beach fires except in designated areas -- fire residue and superheated sand can severely burn bare feet -- use a barbecue that is elevated off the sand.
   Never turn your back to the ocean -- you may be swept off coastal bluffs or tide pool areas and into the water by waves that can come without warning.
  Do Not swim outside the red and yellow flags which mark the safe swimming area.
  Never swim if danger flags are flying. (See Flag Chart Below)
  Do Not swim when beach is closed.
  Observe the visual sign "Danger - Reserve closed to bathing" and the red flag.
  Do Not panic if caught in a current or undertow, but raise one arm up and float until help arrives.
   Do Not struggle against a rip or current, but swim diagonally across it.
  Do Not struggle if seized with a cramp, but raise your arm for help, float and keep the affected parts of your body perfectly still.
  Do Not go out far when a yellow flag is flying, it means the surf is dangerous.
  Wear hard-soled shoes when walking the shoreline or wading.
  Avoid glass containers and pick up trash when leaving.
  Use sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher and avoid sunbathing for long periods of time.
  Report unsafe conditions to Lifeguards.
  Never fake actions or calls for help.
  Follow the advice of the Lifeguards. Lifeguards are trained in beach and water safety.
  Respect their experience and judgment and never interfere with their work.²

Drowning Facts

  Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death in children and adolescents ages birth-22 in the United States. Groups at highest risk included African Americans, males, adolescents ages 15-19, and children under age 5.

  Most drownings occur in the Spring and Summer.
  Most drownings occur in the afternoon and evening between 12 noon and 10:00 P.M.
  More drownings occur on Saturday than on any other day of the week.
  Adolescents drown almost exclusively in natural bodies of water such as rivers and lakes, most often while engaged in some sport or recreational activity, such as wading or fishing, with at least one other person present.
  Over 40% of these adolescents had a detectable blood alcohol and/or drug level.
  Over 40% of children under 5 drown in man-made bodies of water such as swimming pools or hot tubs, and all of the swimming pools were residential.
  Most of these children were in the care of a parent, relative or other adult at the time of the incident.

International Flag Chart

Pool Safety
Pool Safety Rules (especially important if you care for young children)

  Don't run around the pool edge, you could slip and get hurt, or fall in.
  It is dangerous to dunk people, and this can destroy their confidence.
  Be thoughtful of other swimmers. Watch where you are going so you don't collide with anyone.
   If you are allowed to use equipment, be careful with it.
  Flippers can hurt someone if you run into them, and snorkels could make you lose your sense of direction, and you may swim under the diving area by accident.
  Don't jump in without checking if there is someone below.
  Never throw someone in as a joke. They may hit their head on the side of the pool.
  Don't swim after dark unless there's really good lighting available.
  Build a fence around your pool to prevent a young child from falling into the water.
  Make sure your pool is equipped with flotation devices and rescue equipment.
  Avoid large backyard pool parties with unsupervised children.
  Know who's using your pool. Never leave small children unattended around any body of water (pool, bathtub, lake, etc.).
  Small children don't often think of water as a danger and they are, by nature, very curious. Being left alone in or around water without supervision can be fatal.
  Take small children with you if the phone should ring or if you should have to perform some brief task such as going to get a cold beverage rather than trusting toddlers to be careful or to stay away from water while unsupervised.
  Be aware of streams, creeks, ponds, ditches, etc. that may be located on or near your property.
Make certain that a responsible adult knows the whereabouts of small children at all times if there is any water nearby.
   If a child is missing, search the water areas first to save valuable seconds.
Be aware that standing water left in buckets, wading pools, bathtubs, toilets, etc. can be dangerous to toddlers.
  Do not leave water or other solutions unattended in buckets or other containers when toddlers are in the home. A child can drown in as little as 2 inches of water, enough to cover the nose and mouth.
  Empty buckets or other containers immediately when not in use and store them safely away from small children.
   Learn CPR especially if you own a pool or live near the water. Valuable lifesaving seconds are lost by having to wait for Emergency Medical Services to arrive to begin CPR. Four to six minutes without oxygen can cause irreversible brain damage or death.
   Remember even good swimmers can drown.
  Swimming lessons are no substitute for supervision of young children in and around water and no one should ever swim alone.
  Avoid conditions or situations which could create the potential for danger, e.g. swimming in nonpublic, restricted or isolated areas, or swimming in areas with strong, unstable or turbulent currents.
  Approved personal flotation devices (PFDS) should be worn by all passengers in powered and unpowered water craft, or by anyone who is unable to swim or unsure of their swimming abilities when in and around water.
  "Water Wings" are not a dependable flotation device and are no substitute for adult supervision of small children in and around water.
  Swimming pools should be enclosed by a 4-sided fence that is at least 5 feet high and separates the pool area from the house. The fence gate should have a self-closing, self-latching mechanism, which is located on the side of the gate closest to the pool and out of reach of small children.
   Reaching and/or throwing aids should be readily available. ²

Being Safe In The Ocean

In North America, South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and all over the world, the beach and shoreline are natural gathering places. In the past, the ocean furnished the early inhabitants with food, transportation, and recreation. In modern society, the beach is still a focal point for recreation and activity.

Virtually any activity involving the ocean can be deemed hazardous. Every year, people in the pursuit of fun that involves a large body of water injure themselves. Part of the problem seems to be the thought that "I have to do this, I won't be back here again" or "those waves don't look that bad". Famous last words!  Anyone participating in activities involving the ocean have got to use good judgment. This is a fundamental rule for the ocean. The seas can be very unforgiving. If the waves are crashing and no one is in the water, then stay out. When visiting a shoreline, watch the water for several minutes before entering, you can learn a lot about the wave period and strength, the currents and wind effects. Then decide if you are up to going out in the water. Never turn your back on the ocean and know your own limitations. Waves are probably the single most dangerous naturally destructive occurrence on any shoreline.  

 Rip Currents:

Swimming and snorkeling in the ocean is not like swimming in a pool or lake. Rip currents are the most threatening natural hazard along any ocean coast. They pull victims away from the beach. The United States Lifesaving Association has found that 80% of the rescues effected by ocean lifeguards involve saving those caught in rip currents. 

What is a Rip Current?

A rip current is a seaward moving current that circulates water back to sea after it is pushed ashore by waves. Each wave accumulates water on shore creating seaward pressure. This pressure is released in an area with the least amount of resistance which is usually the deepest point along the ocean floor. Rip currents also exist in areas where the strength of the waves are weakened by objects such as rock jetties, piers, natural reefs, and even large groups of bathers. Rip currents often look like muddy rivers flowing away from shore.

Rip currents are sometimes mistakenly called "rip tides" or "undertows." These are misnomers. Rip currents are not directly associated with tides and they do not pull people under.  Try to avoid swimming where rip currents are present, but if you become caught in a one, swim parallel to the shore until the pull stops and then swim back to shore. If you are unable to return to the beach, tread water and wave for lifeguard assistance.

To avoid rip currents, stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Rip currents often exist along the side of fixed objects in the water. Be aware of ocean conditions. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water.

Other Situations

If you get a leg cramp, try not to panic. Float on your back, and bring your leg to the surface. Rub the muscle with both hands, with a kneading action. Don't be afraid to rub hard. Try swimming slowly back to shore, using a different stroke than the one you used when you got the cramp.  A stomach cramp is more serious. It is usually caused by swimming hard in cold water on a full stomach. If the pain is very bad, try to keep your head above water, and shout for help. If it not too severe, try floating on your back and take slow deep breaths to help relax the muscles. You can also try bending your knees to your chest, and then extending them again.

  Rocks and Coral:

In Hawaii the rocks are formed from lava, much of which is extremely sharp. In Florida  pieces of coral combined with rough waves can be an uncomfortable experience.  It is best for you to access the rock or coral formations before swimming.  It doesn't take long.  Where ever you live, see what kind of rocks or coral are in the water before you get surprised by some.

Save Someone Drowning & Water and Boat Safety...         NEXT >>