Summertime is full of vacations, pools, lakes, oceans and other fun water related sports and activities. Water is always a centric part of summer fun, but it’s also a place where safety must come first. Here are a few tips to help you be water safe.
Top Tips
- Fence pools and spas with adequate barriers, including four-sided fencing.
- Learn swimming and water safety survival skills.
- Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
- Always swim in a lifeguarded area.
- Always swim with a buddy.
- Don’t use alcohol or drugs before or while swimming, diving or supervising swimmers.
- Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water.
Know What to Do in an Emergency
- If a child is missing, check the water first: seconds count in preventing death or disability!
- Alert the lifeguard, if one is present.
- Recognize the signs of someone in trouble and shout for help. A swimmer needs immediate help if they: a) Are not making forward progress in the water. b) Are vertical in the water but unable to move or tread water. c) Are motionless and face down in the water.
- Rescue and remove the person from the water (without putting yourself in danger).
- Ask someone to call emergency medical services (EMS). If alone, give 2 minutes of care, then call EMS.
- Begin rescue breathing and CPR.
- Use an AED if available and transfer care to advanced life support.
