Your favorite swimming spot can be a great place to cool off during the sweltering summer heat. However, before you dive in you should be aware of all the potential water hazards at both your neighborhood swimming pool and the local river that can potentially put you and your family at risk.
Being safe around water has always been a close and important issue of mine. I grew up swimming all summer at my local pool. Then through my high school and college years I worked as a lifeguard and pool manager, spending hours upon hours scanning pool waters keeping others safe and looking for any potentially distressed swimmers, teaching countless number of kiddos in swim lessons, and training dozens of lifeguards the lifesaving techniques we hoped would never have to be used. In my eight years I was lucky to witness only a few close calls! Most of the time I saw firsthand how easy it was to be safe while still having fun. By preparing yourself and your family before you head to the local swimming hole, you can help keep everyone safe.
Often times we think of the public pool when we think of water safety, however other common swimming destinations like rivers and lakes require more knowledge due to their additional potential hazards. There are many important safety tips to remember, some of the most important ones are:
Be aware of potential hazards of the area you are going and take appropriate precautions:
Unexpected changes in weather
Fast moving currents
Hazards such as dams, underwater obstacles, rocks, or debris
Vegetation that could entangle your feet
Rapid drop – offs (or shallows)
Establish and Enforce Rules and Safe Behaviors:
Always enter unknown water cautiously and feet first
Dive only in water clearly marked as safe for diving, at least 9 feet deep with no underwater obstacles.
Do not enter the water from a height, such as a bridge or boat.
Be careful when standing to prevent being knocked over by currents or waves.
Swim sober.
Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or talking on or using a cell phone.
Swim with a buddy.
Take these Water Safety Steps:
Have layers of protection including barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision of children to prevent drowning.
Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.
Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.
Spending time outdoors at the lake or pool are great ways to spend the warm summer months and remembering to properly prepare will make sure each outing is fun and safe! If you would like additional safety tips on keeping you are your family safe around water, which you can find them here on this easy one page list! https://www.usbr.gov/watersafety/docs/RedCrossWaterSafety.pdf
Author: Adam Peters
Adam is the Community Engagement Team Lead/Health Educator at the Health Department. Adam has been with JCHD for over 3 years, and in the field of public health for close to 6 years! He has lived all over the Midwest; after growing up in Nebraska and earning a bachelor’s in Psychobiology from the University of Nebraska – Kearney, he went on to Indiana to earn his master’s degree in Public Health with a Social and Behavioral Sciences Emphasis from Indiana University. Adam enjoys working with county youth to help build strong, healthy habits they can take with them for the rest of their lives! In his free time he enjoys woodworking and hiking with his wife Morgan.