Whether you swim in a pool or a beach, safety precautions prevent accidents and injuries of all swimmers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 3,443 people died in 2007 by unintentional drowning. While not all drownings are easily preventable, many accidents could be avoided with first aid skills, proper gear and a keen level of awareness.
Learn Safety Skills
Water safety skills better protect you and your fellow swimmers. Learning how to swim is the most basic way to avoid hazards in the water. Enroll children in swimming lessons at an early age to increase their swimming proficiency. First aid skills are also essential near water. If a swimmer becomes injured or drowns, first aid and CPR skills could save her life.
Supervision
When children or non-swimmers are near the water, constant supervision is necessary. Supervision allows you to stop unsafe behaviors before they result in an accident. You can also respond faster if an injury does occur, which often makes a difference in the outcome of the injury. Even adult swimmers should swim with a partner in case a hazard presents itself. When swimming in public water areas, look for lifeguards, but don't rely on them exclusively. You should always keep an eye on all members of your group as an extra layer of precaution.
Safety Gear
Home pools present a safety risk, especially to children in the household. Safety gear reduces the risks by keeping kids out of the pool when they're not supervised. A self-closing and latching fence at least 5 feet tall keeps kids away from the pool. A pool alarm sounds if anyone enters the pool. This alerts you quickly so you can get your child out of the pool faster. Without a pool alarm, you might not find a person who falls into the pool for several minutes or even longer. While swimming, keep a phone nearby in case you need to call for assistance. A life ring and hook near the pool allows you to retrieve a person who gets into trouble in the water.
Environment
The swimming environment and conditions play a role in your safety. Inspect the pool or beach area to look for potential hazards before swimming. Broken grates or ill-functioning drains in a pool increase the risk of entrapment in the pool. Hold off on your swimming plans if severe weather is in the area. Observe all safety warnings and signs at the swimming area. Alcohol is another factor you should avoid while swimming. Alcohol slows your response and increases the risk of water injuries.
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