25 Water Safety Tips for a Safer Summer
04-12-2016
Author: in RV Tips & Education
Summer will be here before you know it and that means travel, outdoor fun, and swimming. According to the CDC, about 10 people a day die from accidental drowning – two of them are children 14-year-old or younger. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. So, here are some water safety tips to help you have a safer summer:
- If a child is missing, search the water first. Every second counts when it comes to preventing disability or even death from drowning.
- Don’t drink the water! This goes for swimming pools as well as natural bodies of water. The reason why can be summed up in two words: fecal matter. Yes, it is present in both natural water and swimming pools – and chlorine doesn’t kill all the bacteria immediately. It will make you sick. I’ll spare you the rest of the disgusting details.
- In natural water watch for hazards both underwater as well as on the surface. Debris on the water’s surface, moving with the current, or rocks, branches, and mud submerged below the surface can interfere with your water fun causing injury or causing you to slip beneath the surface.
- Don’t swim alone. The American Red Cross advises always having a buddy when you swim – anywhere.
- Keep an eye (or ear) open for severe weather. If you can hear thunder, you can be at risk for being struck by lightning. In other words, if you hear thunder, get out of the water.
- Contact the local or state health department to get water testing results for natural bodies of water you plan to play in.
- Be aware of potentially dangerous animals, like alligators, in lakes or ponds. Check with the local wildlife and fisheries to make sure that the swimming hole you plan to visit doesn’t have any inhabitants that may not appreciate your visit.
- Be aware of water conditions. Recent rainfall can lead to swollen rivers which can include fast moving currents. Even days after the heavy rainfall the dangerous conditions can still be present. These conditions also cause an increase in bacterial activity, increasing the chances of bacteria related illness or infections.
- Learn how to prevent PAM. Primary amebic meningoencephalitis, or PAM, is a rare infection, but it is often fatal. Read this PAM white paper from LCRA.
- Learn CPR. Red Cross offers certification courses as well as other organizations including some hospitals and the YMCA. In an emergency, it can save a life, but also make sure that you have someone call 911 as well.
- Stay afloat by relaxing. When you are out on the water any number of things can happen. You can get caught by a swift moving current, fall out of the boat, or any number of other scary situations that make you feel out of control. The first thing you need to do is relax. Relaxing does two things. It allows you to conserve your energy until help arrives and it makes it easier for you to float so you can keep your head above water.
- Don’t swim under the influence. Alcohol and drugs can decrease your response time, impair judgment, and dull your senses. It isn’t worth it so when you head to the swimming hole, leave the alcohol, marijuana, and other substances at home.
- When you jump into a natural body of water, hold your nose. Freshwater, especially warm freshwater, is untreated, therefore it can contain a variety of microbes, some of which are pretty nasty. Including Naegleria fowleri, the so called “brain eating amoeba.” The amoeba enters through the nasal passages and infects the body that way.
- Even “strong” swimmers can drown. Don’t think that you or your child are drown proof after just one lesson or even a season of lessons. It takes time to learn how to swim well and even then there are no guarantees. Things can still happen so make sure you take the necessary precautions.
- Swim only in areas that are designated for swimming. This will keep you out of the path of dangers including underwater hazards or motor propelled boats.
- Be observant of the area. When swimming in a natural body of water, upon arrival take some time to assess the area. Check the currents, watching how fast debris floats downstream and the path that it takes. Also listen for rushing water that seems unusually loud. If it seems unsafe, go somewhere else; don’t take unnecessary risks.
- Bring flotation devices and a rope. A pond or lake may not be equipped with rescue equipment. Bring your own; you never know when someone’s life could depend on something as simple as keeping a rope in your beach bag.
- Watch out for others, especially children. A child can drown in 20 seconds, an adult, 60 seconds. It is called the “silent killer” because many people who are drowning will never make a sound, but slip quietly beneath the water.
- Avoid horseplay. Splashing a little water is one thing, but jumping on someone and forcing them under the water can turn bad quickly. There is too much of a risk for injury and drowning when horseplay is allowed.
- Avoid waterfalls. They are pretty to look at, but the undertow can pull you under and trap you while the strong current can wash you right over the falls.
- Only dive in designated areas. Diving in water that is too shallow can cause severe injury and death. Don’t take chances. Before diving, thoroughly check out the water and only swim in areas that have been deemed appropriate for diving.
- Stay near the shore. Most people drown around 50 feet from the shore – and only about 10 feet from safety.
- Be careful around slippery banks and rocks. Wet, slippery banks or rocks can be very treacherous, causing you to slip and fall into the water or onto other rocks. Be very careful.
- Wear a life jacket. More to the point, wear one that is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. No matter what you are doing in or on the water, a life jacket could save your life.
- Put away your cell phone or other device. Facebook can wait, so can that text. When you are at a swimming hole, especially one that does not have a lifeguard on duty, you need to keep your eyes on your family and friends, especially children. Don’t let yourself be distracted and make sure the inexperienced swimmers stay close – preferably within arm’s reach.
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Author: Stephanie A. Mayberry
