Water activities are a great way to get exercise, stay cool, and spend time with friends and family. Swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes, rivers, and the ocean can be a lot of fun, but it's important to enjoy these activities safely. Although swimming and being in the water can be dangerous, if your family follows these tips, they can stay safe, healthy, and have a wonderful time with Lifeguard course.

The facts about drowning

Many people assume they will hear a drowning person cry for help, but the splashes and screams we see in movies rarely happen in real life. A person who is drowning will not have enough air to call for help or enough energy to wave their arms. A person who is about to drown cannot keep their mouth out of the water long enough to breathe properly and cannot scream. They will also not be able to make voluntary efforts such as raising their arms and splashing. Drowning is silent and can go unnoticed.

Drowning can also happen very quickly. It only takes 20 to 60 seconds for a choker to run out and sink completely. About ten people die from unintentional drowning every day, and two of those deaths are children under the age of 14. Children can drown in just a few inches of water (such as bathtubs, sinks, or buckets). Drowning is the second leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4.

Seconds can make the difference. CPR can save lives and improve outcomes for drowning victims. The faster CPR begins, the better the results. It's a good idea to train your family in CPR so everyone is ready if you ever need it. You can find free classes in your area here .



1. Take swimming lessons:

 Swimming lessons are an important layer of protection against drowning. Your whole family (adults and children) should know how to swim. Most children are ready for swimming lessons around the age of four, but some children are ready for swimming lessons as early as their first year. You can talk to your pediatrician if you have any questions about whether your child is ready for swim lessons.

You can find local swimming lessons with certified swim teachers, or the Red Cross offers affordable swimming lessons and water safety. You can also check with your city government for scholarships for swimming lessons.

2. Learn the basics of safe swimming:

 Help your family understand the basic rules of safe swimming: 

Get out of the water when you feel: too tired, too cold, too much sun, too much strenuous activity. It is always good to rest.

Be aware if the water is too deep or if the children are too far from the shore or pool.

Everyone should be familiar with the basics of water. Children must know how to enter the water, breathe, float and move through the water. You can find videos like this one to practice some of these basic skills at home in the bathtub with your child.

‍3. Wear a life jacket:

 Wear a life jacket as directed in lakes and the ocean, even if your child knows how to swim. Less experienced swimmers should also wear life jackets in and around pools. Every state has minimum age laws for wearing PFD (personal flotation device) life jackets on boats (find your state's life jacket law here ). If your child is over the legal age, you can decide if a child should wear a life jacket in situations where it is not required by law.

When choosing a life jacket, check the label to make sure the vest is US Coast Guard approved. The label will also have a size and weight guide, so your child wears the correct size. The vest should fit snugly, but the zipper/straps should close easily. If the vest reaches the chin, you should reduce it.

Air-filled toys or foam toys (inner tubes, noodles, inflatable lounges) are not designed to keep swimmers safe. These toys should not be used as a substitute for a life jacket. If you need a life jacket for water activities, you can find free loaner vests from this organization .

4. Do not allow children to swim alone or unsupervised:

 If possible, swim where a lifeguard is on duty. If there are no lifeguards, check for a life ring and safety equipment and designate a water spotter to keep a close eye on swimmers. The water watcher should not multitask, read, or play games on their phone. They should also remove their headphones so they can hear if someone calls for help.

Young children and inexperienced swimmers should have an adult swimmer close at hand. No one should swim alone, no matter how experienced they are. Teens and other older family members should swim with a friend or an adult with equal or better swimming skills.

5. Stay Alert – Pay attention to water conditions:

 Lifeguards may post colored signs or flags on the beach to alert swimmers to water conditions. Always follow posted instructions and warnings.

In the ocean, currents can change quickly and become dangerous. Near rocks and piers, currents can be unpredictable. If it's hard to move or the water hits you, it's time to head for shore. Review with your family how to spot the signs of rip currents and how to respond safely.



‍6. Play Smart:

 Practicing safe behaviors and ending unsafe play is key to safety on the water. Set rules and train your family on what types of water games are appropriate. Pushing, dipping, or fighting chickens can be very dangerous, especially in shallow water. Encourage your family to play safely and remind them that surfaces near water can be very slippery. Always walk around water, never run. If your child needs help in the water, make sure they know how to ask for help and teach them that it's not fun to ask for help as a joke.

Teach your family to enter the water feet first unless they know it is deeper than 9 feet. If you don't know how deep the water is, you shouldn't dive. Your family should never swim or play near pool drains. Suction from pool and spa drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Always check the drain when you get to the pool and don't swim if there are broken or missing drain covers.

Our team will be sharing even more great summer tips throughout the season. Don't forget to check out our next blog on heat exhaustion. You can also read the first blog in our summer safety series: How to Choose and Use Sunscreen with Lifeguard training miami usa.