Water Safety for Safe Summer Fun

As millions of people head to the water this summer it’s important to be aware of ways to prevent water-related accidents. With the warm weather approaching, there is no better time to start focusing on water safety and drowning prevention than now. Preparation, education, prevention, and response are the fundamentals of water safety.

Preparation and Education

There is no substitute for being prepared and educated and swimming lessons are an integral part of being prepared. Swimming is a life saving skill. Learning how to swim is critical to being “water safe” in, on, and around any body of water. Comfort and confidence in the water can prevent panic if a person has an accidental fall in the water. Experience with the “feel” of water helps people control their balance and coordination as they learn how to control their bodies and move with the water, rather than fight against it. Repeated practice develops muscle memory so that people can respond quickly and appropriately after an accidental fall into a pool or other body of water. Swimming lessons help people develop better swimming technique for more efficient swimming and those who swim efficiently can swim longer distances if needed to reach safety. 

Prevention

If you own a pool, it’s crucial that you take the necessary measures to ensure your family’s safety.

The California Health and Safety Code states any new pool must be equipped with at least one of the following safety features: Pool fencing, safety pool cover, pool alarms or door alarm. In addition, all chairs and tables should be removed from areas that would allow children to enter the pool area. Put all pool toys away when not using the pool. Children may see toys and it could lead the child into the pool area. When swimming, pool covers should be removed from the pool, and securely in place when used to cover the pool.

Response

How you respond to an emergency can undoubtedly affect the outcome. Being prepared and immediately providing effective CPR can double a victim’s chance of survival. The following are safety guidelines for emergency situations:

• Learn CPR and first aid
• All caregivers including grandparents, nannies, and babysitters should be CPR and safety certified
• Have CPR and first aid directions readily available
• At home, keep all emergency phone numbers by your phone. Keep a phone (a LAN-line with the pool’s physical address is best) close to the pool, and have a charged mobile phone near the pool for emergency use so that an adult can call for help if needed. (Calling from a cell phone won’t automatically tell the 9-1-1 operator your location.)
• Post the closest cross streets to your address near the phone so that anyone can give directions to an emergency dispatcher
• If a victim needs help while in the water, use a reaching or throwing tool. Never get into the water to try and help if you have not been trained to do so
• Be prepared with life saving equipment such as a ring buoy or reaching pole. Life jackets should be made available. Keep a well-stocked first aid kit at all times
• If a child is missing, always check the pool first. Seconds count!

Being prepared is the best defense in an emergency situation. By following the safety guidelines above you can greatly increase the survival rate in an emergency situation. There are so many activities, commitments and reasons why safety training can take a back seat, but nothing is more important than the lives of your family and loved ones. Take the time to learn CPR and first aid and be sure that all members of your family learn to swim… it could be a matter of life and death.

For more information on swimming lessons in the Bay Area, call 1-800-810-SWIM. For CPR and Safety Training call 1-877-380-4CPR.