Splashing, wading, and paddling - it must mean a great day in
the water. Playing at the beach, at a water park, by a lake, or in
a pool can be a real treat on a hot day. Swimming is a lot of fun,
but drowning is a real danger. Let's find out how to stay safe
in the water.
Why Is It Important to Be Safe in the Water?
Fish are able to live and breathe under water, but people need
air to breathe. People drown when too much water gets into their
lungs
. When that happens, the lungs can't carry enough oxygen to the
brain and the rest of the body.
Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries
among kids under the age of 14. Drowning can happen so fast -
sometimes in less than 2 minutes after a person's head goes
under the water. That leaves very little time for someone to
help.
Many drownings and near-drownings occur when a kid accidentally
falls into a swimming pool. But accidents can happen anywhere - at
someone's home or even at your own house, and that's why
you need to know how to be safe around water.
Swimming Pools
Pools are awesome! What could be better than a dip in the pool
and fun in the sun? But remember a pool's sides and bottom are
usually made of concrete, a rock-hard material. A slip or fall
could be painful and dangerous.
Have you seen those big numbers painted on the side of the pool?
Those are called
depth markers
- they tell you how deep the water is at that point. You should
always look before you jump into a pool. You should also only dive
off the diving board. Never dive off the side of the pool unless an
adult says that the water is deep enough. The water may be
shallower than you think. If you hit the bottom . . . ouch! You
might get knocked out or you could hurt your neck very badly.
Test the pool's water temperature before you plunge in. Cold
water can shock your body and make your blood pressure and heart
rate go up. You might accidentally open your mouth to yell and
accidentally breathe in some water. Cold water can also slow your
muscles
, making it hard to swim.
Here's some other good advice for the pool:
- Always have an adult watch you when you are in the pool -
even in your own backyard. Never go in the pool if there is no
adult around.
- Gates are around pools for a reason - to keep kids away from
the water when there isn't a lifeguard or adult around to
watch them. Never go through any pool gates when they are closed.
Stay safe and stay out!
- Always obey pool rules.
- Swim with a buddy.
- If you're learning to swim, ask your mom or dad to make
sure your flotation devices are Coast Guard approved.
- Walk slowly in the pool area. Don't run.
- Swim at a depth that is safe for you. If you're just
learning to swim, stay in the shallow end.
- Don't push or jump on others. You could accidentally hurt
someone or yourself.
- Toys to help you float come in many shapes and sizes (an
inner tube, air mattress, or beach ball, for example). Although
they are fun and can help you while you learn to swim, what they
can't
do is save a life. They're toys that can lose air or float
away.
- Don't chew gum or eat while you swim - you could
choke.
Lakes and Ponds
Lots of kids swim in streams, lakes, or ponds. Extra care must
be taken when swimming in these beautiful places. You can't
always see the bottom of the lake or pond, so you don't always
know the depth of the water. This is an additional reason to always
swim with an adult.
Although the fish swimming around won't hurt you, some ponds
and lakes may hide jagged rocks, broken bottles, or trash. Wear
something to protect your feet. Also, 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 an adult's help.
If you're going out on a boat, always wear a life jacket.
(Again, the life jacket should be Coast Guard approved.) Even if
you are a good swimmer, something could cause the boat to tip over
and you could be trapped underneath.
Beaches
It's hard to resist a day on the beach, but you'll need
to know some safety rules when you're swimming in the ocean.
When you first get to the beach, check with the lifeguard to find
out how strong the waves are. Some places fly flags or write notes
on a chalkboard to give swimmers an idea of what conditions are
like.
In some places swimmers may encounter strong undertows or ocean
currents. Rip currents (also called riptides) are so strong that
they can carry swimmers away from shore before they know what's
happening. If you are caught in a current, swim parallel to the
shore (alongside the shore) rather than to the shore until the
water stops pulling you, then swim back to shore. If you can't
get back to the beach, tread water and wave for a lifeguard's
help.
You probably won't see any sharks (although a friendly
dolphin may splash by) where you are swimming. But you might run
into some jellyfish or Portuguese man-of-wars. These
umbrella-shaped, nearly clear animals can grow to be as large as
several feet in diameter! They are often found floating near the
shore. Getting stung is no fun - it can hurt and blister your skin.
If you get stung, tell an adult as soon as possible.
Here's some other good advice for the beach:
- Never swim alone!
- Always swim where a lifeguard can see you and in areas that
are marked for swimmers to use.
- Wear protective footwear if surfaces are rough or rocky.
- Don't swim out too far.
- Never pretend to be drowning. The lifeguard may take you
seriously.
- Don't swim close to piers - those big, wooden structures
that jut out into the water. If the water moves suddenly, you
could hit a piling or a rock.
- Store drinks in plastic containers at the beach - broken
glass bottles and bare feet don't mix.
- Face the waves, instead of turning your back on them. Then
you'll know what's coming.
Water Parks
Kids love water parks - and why shouldn't they? Wave pools,
giant slides, and squirting fountains are a lot of fun. To stay
safe, find out what each attraction is like before jumping in. Some
wave pools can get rough, so it's a good idea to have an adult
nearby.
Here are other water park safety tips:
- Wear a life jacket if you don't know how to swim or if
you're not a strong swimmer.
- 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, check
with a parent or ask the lifeguard.
- Always make sure there's a lifeguard at each ride and
listen to his or her instructions. Wait until the rider ahead of
you has passed a safe point for you to go down the slide.
- Always go down the water slide face up and feet first. This
is the safe and correct way to ride.
- When you go from ride to ride, don't run - it's
slippery! Also, remember that each ride is different. Read each
sign and note how deep the water is in the pool.
But I Know How to Swim!
It's important to know your limits when it comes to playing
in the water. You could develop a cramp (where a muscle in your
body suddenly tenses up and causes pain) or other physical problem
that makes it hard to swim. If you get a cramp, get out of the
water for a while and give your muscles a rest.
Waves can knock you down or push you to the ocean floor. Stay
close to an adult or get out of the water when the waves get rough.
People also get into trouble when they start to panic or become too
tired to swim. It is important to know your limits.
Here are some other good water safety tips:
- Learn to swim. Ask your parents to contact your local
American Red Cross or community center for information on boating
or water safety courses.
- Always put on plenty of
sunscreen
before you go outside. It's also a good idea to wear
sunglasses and a hat to protect your skin from the sun's
harmful rays.
- Stop swimming or boating as soon as you see or hear a storm.
Remember, lightning is electricity - electricity and water are a
dangerous combination.
- Don't swim in the dark.
- Wherever you're swimming,
do
have a waterfall of fun!
Reviewed by:
Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: April 2008
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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