Water Safety Tips

Water Safety Tips 

 Did you know that?

Ø  Drowning is the 2^nd largest cause of death for children 14 and under here in the US?

Ø  African American children drown 3x more than any other demographic?

Ø   Drowning is the 2^nd largest cause of death GLOBALLY for people of all ages? 

Ø  Drowning can happen in less than 2 minutes after a person’s head goes under water?

What can YOU do to make a change?  Where ever you are…..LEARN TO SWIM!

 In general:

      Always, swim near a lifeguard

      NEVER swim alone

      Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present

      Don't rely on flotation devices, such as rafts or floaties, you may lose them in the water; or they may deflate.

       Alcohol and other drugs and swimming don't mix

      Don’t swim after dark

      Know your limits and don’t push them

      Stop swimming if you hear a storm approaching; go for shelter

      Drink plenty of water and juice to stay hydrated and avoid heatstroke. What are signs of heatstroke? Headache, dizziness, muscle weakness or cramps, and nausea and vomiting. Get medical help right away if you have these warning signs: Hot, dry skin; confusion or loss of consciousness; frequent vomiting; shortness of breath or trouble breathing

      Use sun screen to avoid burns

When at the Pool add these tips:

v  Don’t run.  Slips and falls can result in broken bones.

v  Look for the depth markers…the big numbers painted on the side of the pool. Higher numbers mean deeper water.  Be sure to look before you jump into a pool.  Diving into shallow water can result in a broken neck and death.

v  Swim at a depth that is safe for you. If you're just learning to swim, stay in the shallow end.

v  Don't push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt someone or yourself.

v  Don't chew gum or eat while you swim — you could choke.

When at Lakes and Ponds add these tips:

v  You can't always see the bottom of the lake or pond, so you don't always know the depth of the water.  ALWAYS go in feet first!

v  Watch out for weeds and grass, which can trap even a good swimmer. If you panic and try to yank yourself free, you may get even more tangled. Instead, shake and pull your arms and legs slowly to work yourself loose or call for help.

At the Water Parks

Ø  Wear a life jacket if you don't know how to swim or if you're not a strong swimmer.

Ø   Each ride is different. Read all of the signs before going on a ride. Make sure you are tall enough, old enough, and don't have any of the medical conditions that are listed. If you have questions, ask the lifeguard. Always make sure there's a lifeguard at each ride and listen to his or her instructions.

Ø  Wait until the rider ahead of you has passed a safe point for you to go down the slide.

Ø  Always go down the water slide face up and feet first.

Ø  When you go from ride to ride, don't run — it's slippery!

v  Be Safe

v  Have Fun

v  SWIM STRONG!

  

v  Shawn Slevin

v  Swim Strong Foundation, Inc.

v  www.theSwimStrongFoundation.org