Why is water safety important?
Swimming is both a fun family activity and a fantastic form
of exercise. Nothing compares to spend an afternoon together swimming around in
the ocean.
However, a lot of individuals are unaware of how risky
swimming may be without adequate preparation.
Every ten minutes, someone drowns to death in the USA.
Children make up one out of every five drowning victims, and for every child
who perishes another five need medical attention for injuries sustained while
submerged in water. For children aged 5 to 14, drowning ranks as the
second-leading cause of death overall.
There is no better time than the present to teach parents of
the fundamentals of year-round water safety, even though the YMCA recognizes
International Water Safety Month in May. Whenever a parent takes the time to
teach their children the fundamentals of water safety, they are safeguarding
them and ensuring that every time they go swimming, they will do so safely and
with enjoyment.
10 Best Advice for Family Water Safety
A person's actions in and around the water are all part of
water safety. Teach your children these 10 fundamental water safety guidelines
before taking them to the lake, beach, or pool to ensure their enjoyment and
safety.
1.
Don't ever swim In Alone
Only if a lifeguard is on duty should people go swimming.
The people in the lake, ocean, or pool are not the only thing that lifeguards
observe. In addition to keeping an eye on the water, their duty is to inform
swimmers of any potential safety issues and dubious situations. They are also
taught how to act swiftly in emergency situations.
For both children and adults, it's a good idea to employ the
buddy system when swimming in addition to swimming in an area where there is a
lifeguard on duty. To ensure that they can protect one another in the event
that their parents aren't present in the water, teach your youngster always to swim
with a friend or sibling. Along with being more enjoyable, swimming with a
friend also assures that there is someone to turn to for assistance if anything
really goes wrong.
2. Keep
an eye on children in the water
We recognize that parents too require some downtime.
However, it's important to pay attention when your kids are in the water. A
parent should always be within arm's reach of a kid as a basic guideline. This
guideline applies whether they are swimming in a lake, ocean, bathtub, or a
swimming pool. Parents of older children should be around and keep an eye on
their kids. Even children who are good swimmers need monitoring since they are
likely to try tricks, flips, and dives in the water, all of which can be
hazardous.
The greatest approach to stay on guard when your kids are
swimming is to put your phone aside and just spend time together. If there are
other adults there, you can alternate watching the pool so that everyone has an
adequate chance to unwind. The greatest way to avoid an accident is to work
together to keep your kids safe.
3.
Avoid playing breath-hold sports.
Children shouldn't hold their breath for an extended period
of time when swimming because doing so increases the chance of drowning and
other serious concerns. Make sure kids are aware that games like "see who
really can hold their breath the longest" and other similar contests can
be hazardous and shouldn't be played during any water-related activity.
A swimmer is more likely to pass out underwater if they hold
their breath for too long or hyperventilate (breathe quicker or deeper than
usual) before plunging under the water. Children who compete in competitive
swimming should acquire the right breathing methods to prevent issues during
sessions or competitions.
4.
Constantly put on a life vest
A life jacket approved by the Coast Guard should always be
worn around water by young children or unskilled swimmers. Water wings, floaters,
pool noodles, and other items that advertise that they can keep kids afloat are
available on the market, but in an actual emergency, these cannot take the
place of life preservers or other lifesaving equipment. Ensure that a parent or
other responsible adult is nearby when using these goods with children.
Also keep in mind that wearing a life jacket or even other
flotation gear is never a valid reason to disregard other water safety
precautions. Whenever it comes to remaining safe near water, life jackets are
insufficient on their own.
5.
Refrain from diving into the water to rescue a friend.
A young person's first inclination may be to step in and
assist if they witness a friend fighting to maintain their composure. But if
they did, they might both end up in the water and die. The Y's Safety around
Water program suggests the "reach, throw, don't go" strategy, which
entails utilizing a long instrument to bring a floundering swimmer to safety.
Children can assist a buddy in need while avoiding danger to them by employing
this method.
6. Dip
Your Feet into the Water
Kids who jump or dive into relatively shallow head first
risk serious harm. Make sure your youngster knows how to enter and depart the
pool safely. If they want to jump and dive, make sure you show them how to do
it properly and indicate the locations where it is okay to do so. No matter what
deep the water is, don't allow jumping if your pool doesn't have a specific
place for it.
7.
Avoid Swimming Pool Drains
When your child even starts playing, it's a good idea to
demonstrate them what the swimming drain looks like and emphasize the value of staying
away from it. Children have drowned or suffered major injuries after getting
their hair, bathing suits, or even limbs stuck in damaged or broken drains.
Teach kids to avoid certain sections of swimming pools, especially if a drain
is lacking a cover or otherwise seems damaged. Report one right away if you
spot one that appears to be acting strangely.
8.
Remain in Pool Areas That Are Protected
Staying inside the approved swim areas is essential to your
safety whether you are swimming in a lake, ocean, or pool. Inform kids about
ropes and the purpose for which they are used to divide pools. Always observe
the rules that your local lifeguards have created, especially if you're
swimming in a lake or ocean. Never urge a child to swim in water deep than their
capabilities will allow. They have a good understanding of the water and, in
the case of oceans and lakes enough information regarding how it changes on a
daily basis to provide prudent and current safety advice.
9.
Abstain from Alcohol
Most parents and their older children should heed this
counsel. Talking with kids about alcohol gets more and more important as they
become older. Alcohol affects balance, concentration, and judgment. It affects
a person's swimming prowess and may even cause a drop in body temperature. Make
sure your kids are aware of the dangers of combining alcohol use with water
play because they frequently see images of young adults and teens drinking by
the pool on television and in movies.
Parents must use prudence as well. Never drink alcohol while
keeping an eye on your kids in the water. In addition to making you
preoccupied, it might prevent you from responding effectively if an emergency
arises.
10.
Develop your CPR skills
Although we sincerely hope that your family will abide by all
of these precautions and be safe in the water, accidents do, unfortunately,
happen. Bystanders are frequently the first to respond and act in the event of
a drowning incidence or pool-related disaster. Knowing how to do CPR on both
children and adults is essential if you're a parent responsible for watching
your kids. The ability to conduct CPR effectively can make the distinction
between life and death. Get your CPR certification from the American Red Cross,
your neighborhood hospital, or other local groups, and maintain it current.
Teach
Your Children Water Safety
Parents may pay attention to these norms and principles,
internalize them, and follow them without ever explaining our actions to our
kids. Explain to your youngster why wearing a life vest is necessary. When
you're not with them, explain why they shouldn't ever go swimming. Tell them
how important it is to stay out of deep or muddy water. You may encourage your
kids to apply more of the they've learnt as they get older by being open and
honest with them.
It's crucial to teach your kids how to stay safe around
water, just as you teach your kids to look both ways when crossing the street.
The above-mentioned water safety advice can help you do this, but putting it
into action will solidify these ideas and guarantee that you have taught your
child how to swim properly.
Participating in swim classes is the best approach to teach
kids about water safety. Children gain knowledge in these programs beyond only
swimming. The danger of drowning can be greatly decreased by taking swimming
lessons, particularly for young children between the ages of 1 and 4. Children
are less likely to put themselves in risky situations if they are taught water
safety regulations and how to swim, and they will have more resources to deal
with those that do emerge.
A quality swimming teaching program ought to provide:
- Instructors that are constantly in the water with the pupils
- Teachers that have received swim instructor training and are also CPR and first aid qualified
- A location where parents may watch
- very small class sizes
- When teaching strokes, survival skills should be taught.
Equipment
for Water Safety
Noodles for the pool, floats, loungers, and inflated toys aren't a substitute for a life jacket that has been certified by the Coast Guard, as we previously stated. Since they wrongly think these products will keep their kids safe in the water, this phrase frequently causes confusion among parents.
Children can learn to swim with the help of floats, water
wings, and inflated toys. They work best when a kid is being watched over by an
adult who is close by and available to step in if the kid starts to struggle.
As a youngster explores the water and discovers both their strengths and
weaknesses, they can help them gain trust.
It is your responsibility as a parent to recognize the
distinctions and dangers associated with utilizing these products. Regrettably,
some people believe that if a child starts to drown or if something unexpected
happens in the pool, these life jackets will save them.
A life vest cannot be substituted for. None of the
aforementioned items can save a kid who is struggling in the water or prevent
them from drowning.
Ask someone if you're unsure of the best approach to keep
your child safe or what equipment will help them learn to swim.
Your child's swim teacher and their wealth of expertise are
available to you when you sign up your child for swim lessons at the Gate
Region YMCA. Ask away, and don't beat yourself up if you found out you've done
it wrong. Our mission is to assist parents in the Southwest Illinois and St.
Louis regions in finding better ways to safeguard their children near and in
water.
If your family frequently uses a YMCA pool, be careful to
familiarize themselves with the pool's water safety accessory policies. There
are usually restrictions on the equipment that can be used in a pool. Some also
have guidelines stating that parents must remain a specific distance away from
any children using them. You and your child will have a better swimming time if
you are aware of the rules in advance.
Ask your local YMCA water sports director what equipment is
accessible for use at our pools if your family doesn't already have a life vest
or other water safety device that has been approved by the Coast Guard for use
in the pool.
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