Swimming can be an enjoyable activity that is enjoyed by people of all ages. But it is essential to follow some basic water safety tips no matter which body of water you select for swimming.
Always swim in designated areas where lifeguards are on duty, as open water spaces may present more unpredictable threats such as sudden drop offs, shifting conditions, rip currents and unseen objects that can pose potential safety threats.
Wear a Life Jacket
Life jackets can make the difference between life and death for boating or other paddling-based water sports enthusiasts, and those at risk. Everyone involved with boating, paddling or other forms of towed aquatic activity should wear an U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits well and suits their weight accordingly.
Children and adults should always wear life jackets whenever they are near open water, such as lakes, rivers and ponds, or any controlled environments like swimming pools, waterparks or lifeguarded beaches. Even experienced swimmers can easily drown if tangled up in weeds or caught up in currents. Obviously, you cannot do this when doing some activities like swimming with dolphins, but in most, you should.
Know Your Limits
People who are excellent swimmers may become overconfident in the water and overestimate their abilities, even those who have passed swim tests and practiced water sports can drown or sustain serious injuries from becoming complacent in their skills.
Before entering any body of water – whether that be the pool, ocean or lake – always ensure you swim within designated swimming areas and be wary of “dangerous toos,” like being too tired, cold, far from safety or too much sun. Furthermore, getting certified in first aid and CPR would also be wise before diving in!
Make sure to be cautious before diving headfirst into unfamiliar waters; rocks or other dangers could lie beneath the surface and could pose a significant threat.
Stay Close to the Shore
Even experienced swimmers should stick close to shore when swimming. Rip currents are particularly strong in low spots and near piers; swimming parallel to the beach may help get out of rip currents more quickly than trying to fight them head on, which will only wear you out further.
Open water swimming requires more energy than pool swimming, so stay hydrated as an integral part of staying fit for open water swimming. Also avoid diving into the sea after or directly after heavy rainfall has fallen as rainwater washes bacteria and pathogens into the surf which increases your risk of illness.
Check the Weather
Your kids must understand outdoor water safety best practices whether they swim in lakes, oceans or backyard pools. Natural bodies of water differ significantly from swimming in an enclosed pool and even strong swimmers should use extreme caution when immersing themselves in them.
Learn to recognize and avoid rip currents – these powerful, channeled currents that can quickly sweep people out to sea within moments if left unnoticed. For assistance identifying and escaping such currents, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution offers some invaluable tips from their website.
Cold water can also induce hypothermia, with risks increasing if you’ve not had sufficient rest or are dehydrated.
Don’t Hold Your Breath
Swimming instructors sometimes tempt swimmers to play games that require them to hold their breath underwater for extended periods. Although this can increase endurance, it also raises their risk for drowning; holding breath for too long reduces carbon dioxide in your body, suppressing breathing impulses causing swimmers to mistakenly inhale water into their lungs and drown.
Safety rules posted at pools or beaches must always be observed, including staying within designated swimming areas and following lifeguard instructions. Even experienced swimmers can easily be caught in rip currents or accidentally fall into polluted water sources and drown.
Never Swim Alone
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children and adults alike, even among experienced swimmers. Children must understand this rule so they understand that in case something goes wrong they need someone nearby to provide assistance if something does go amiss.
Children must understand that when swimming alone or with another swimmer at least the same age or older than themselves, a buddy is essential for safe practice and can look out for each other should an issue arise and call for assistance if needed.
Have a Plan
Water safety education should begin early for children and should continue throughout their swimming careers, not only during National Water Safety Month in May.
Reading and following posted pool, beach, or lake safety rules is of utmost importance for ensuring their use safely. This includes rules regarding contaminated water sources as well as warnings about sudden drop-offs on ocean beaches.
Planning ahead and having someone supervise children near or in the water, especially if unsupervised by lifeguards, is also key for protecting against drowning – it only takes five seconds for someone to slip under and drown!
