ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Summer is here!
This means children are out of school and the whole family is outdoors, enjoying the warm weather and water. Many families use this time to swim in their local or personal pools, vacation at the beach or enjoy days on the lake.
As fun as these activities are, they can also be dangerous. It only takes a moment for a life-threatening event to take place. A child or weak swimmer can drown in the time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing line or apply sunscreen.
Death and injury from drownings happen every day in home pools and hot tubs, at the beach or in oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and bathtubs. According to the American Red Cross, an estimated 4,000 die from unintentional drowning every year in the United States.
It is important to improve our knowledge of water safety to keep ourselves, our children and strangers safe in the water. Being educated on how to avoid common dangers, develop fundamental water safety skills to make you safer in and around the water and knowing how to prevent and respond to drowning emergencies can make you and your family more confident while enjoying these activities. Water activities can be practiced safely and still be just as much fun.
One of the most common areas where people spend their summers are in pools owned by themselves, friends or relatives. According to American Red Cross, 87% of drowning fatalities involving children younger than 5 happen in home pools or hot tubs. Many people have a sense of security when it comes to swimming in familiar areas such as these. However, when you let your guard down there is a higher risk of tragedy.
Some of the top ways to prevent a tragedy from occurring are to:
- Secure your pool with appropriate barriers.
- Separate the pool area from the house and yard. Surround the entirety of your pool with isolation fencing with a self-closing and self-latching gate out of the reach of a child.
- For above-ground pools, secure, lock or remove steps, ladders and anything that can be used for access, such as outdoor furniture and toys, whenever the pool is not being actively supervised by an adult.
- Install secondary barriers such as lockable covers or door alarms and locks on all doors with access to the pool area.
- Establish rules.
- Do not enter a pool headfirst unless it has a designated diving area.
- Avoid drains and area of suction.
- Always have a swimming partner.
- Only allow children to swim when there is a designated water watcher.
- Swim sober.
- Safety tips.
- Children and weak swimmers should always wear life jackets and have close supervision when in a pool.
- Ensure everyone in your family has water competency and can stay afloat, change positions, get a breath, and get out of the water.
- Know what to do in an emergency, including how to help someone out of the water, call first responders and begin CPR.
To better support you, there are many classes online at American Red Cross to help prepare you for pool safety. There are also local swimming classes at many swim and recreation centers nearby.
Another common area where people spend their summers is the beach. Being water competent in the ocean requires stronger and different skills than in a pool. Many families take annual beach trips and feel confident in their knowledge of ocean safety. However, the ocean is unpredictable and very dangerous. It is recommended to stay close to shore when in a body of water such as the ocean. Nevertheless, you should still be aware of the dangers and how to react in an emergent situation.
Some top ways to prevent tragedy in the ocean are to:
- Be aware of hazards and weather.
- Watch and prepare for changing tides.
- Be aware of fast-moving currents, even in shallow ankle-deep water.
- Be mindful of water depth drop-offs. These are usually hard to see.
- Be aware of unexpected changes in water temperature.
- Watch for potential underwater debris that could pull you under.
- Be aware of underwater vegetation.
- Be aware of marine animals.
- Pay attention to other people’s water activities around you, e.g., boating, jet skiing or riding Banana boats.
- Look out for lightning.
- Establish rules.
- Enter the water feet first.
- Enter water cautiously.
- Do not jump into the ocean from heights, e.g., from boats or cliffs.
- Stay close to shore.
- Be careful when standing up in the ocean as the waves and currents could knock you under or pull you out further.
- If a rip current pulls you further into the ocean, swim sideways instead of trying to swim forward.
- Do not go into the ocean if you are not sober.
- Do not allow children to go into the ocean without a life vest and a supervising adult.
- Know what to do in an emergency, including how to help someone out of the water, call first responders and begin CPR.
- Know the meaning of the flags.
- Green – Low hazard. This means conditions are calm; however, hazards could sill exist.
- Yellow – Medium hazard. Waves are more rough than usual and weak swimmers should stay out of the water or wear a life jacket.
- Red – High hazard. Expect big waves and strong currents. Only skilled swimmers are recommended in the water with high caution.
- Double red – Very hazardous conditions. No one is allowed in the water.
- Red over yellow – Area is supervised by lifeguards.
- Purple or blue – Signifies the presence of dangerous marine animals. Swim at your own risk.
- Black circle on yellow – Surfing and watercrafts are forbidden – swimming only.
- Black and White Flag – Surfing zone; swimmers steer clear.
- Red and White quartered flag – Exit the ocean immediately. An emergency has been sighted that makes the water unsafe.
- Sun awareness.
- Wear sunscreen on all parts of your body, including the tops of your feet, lips and ears.
- Bring shade such as tents or canopies.
- Take breaks from the sun by returning indoors in intervals.
- Be sure to eat and stay hydrated when spending a day on the beach.
- Children need protective clothing such as UV blocking hats, sunglasses and UV blocking swimsuits.
These steps are essential in the safety of you and your peers when visiting the beach. Have fun but remember to use caution and stay with your group.
Finally, there are two other bodies of water that are often utilized in the summer and could be dangerous – lakes and rivers. These bodies of water are more challenging than pools and do not have shallow “beach” areas available like the ocean. The lake also does not have flags to warn you of the condition of the water. Therefore, it is up to you to be educated and competent when utilizing these natural bodies of water.
Some things you should watch and prepare for:
- Be aware of hazards and weather.
- Be mindful of unexpected changes in air or water temps.
- Listen for thunder and watch for lightning. In the event of these, exit the water immediately.
- Be aware of fast-moving currents, waves and rapids, even in shallow water.
- Be aware of hazards such as dams or underwater rocks and debris that could pull you under.
- Be aware of underwater vegetation.
- Be aware of fish.
- Be mindful of depth drop-offs.
- Pay attention to water activates around you such as boating and jet skiing.
- Establish rules.
- Enter the water feet first.
- Enter cautiously.
- Avoid diving in natural waters as debris is very likely.
- Do not jump from bridges, rocks or boats.
- Swim sober.
- Swim with someone else.
- Always wear a life jacket whether you are in the water or on a boat, jet ski, kayak or canoe.
- Stay seated when the boat is moving.
- Use caution when doing water sports including tubing or skiing.
- Watch for and be cautious of other boats and drivers.
- Know what to do in case of an emergency.
There have been many preventable deaths in the local natural bodies of water. As we live in an area that is known for its “lake life,” it is important we also be known for the safety and caution of the people who utilize it. Following these steps and educating yourself on all the ways to be “water competent” could prevent a tragedy or at least teach you how to respond if there is one. Doing so not only protects you but also your family, friends and fellow peers enjoying the water.
Have fun but be safe. Happy summer!
Sources:
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/home-pool-safety.html
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/drowning-prevention-and-facts.html
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/beach-safety.html
- https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/lake-river-safety.html