When I first started to write this article, the Corona virus was just a whisper. Summertime seemed a long way away, but it has arrived and with it the resumption of some summer activities like swimming. The dark side of me subconsciously calls this time of year the beginning of the drowning season. I dread it because it’s like a small stab in my heart when I read and hear of these people, mostly children and teens dying from an accident in the water. Maybe the level of supervision and closeness we’re now experiencing will lead towards fewer drownings. Under the current circumstances those of us that live in the area of this publication the warmer months are here. If you have a pool or body of water near you, it’s very likely you are getting back in the water if for no other reason that you can. What else are you going to be doing all day every day. So, for all practical purposes our swim season has begun.
Every time you approach water, be it a pond, lake, beach, water park, swim pool or hot tub, it is wise to stop and take a moment to look at the features. Talk to the youngsters about the depths, obstacles, entries and exits before allowing them to get into the water. Even if you don’t plan on swimming, I recommend you have this conversation. The hope is that the youngsters, when not under your supervision, will develop this habit themselves and possibly avoid a future accident or issue.
Demand that the children you are supervising listen to you. Make sure they understand that they are not to enter the water until you give the go ahead. Make them work on some swim and survival skills before playing. This could be just a 10-15 minute routine. Have them practice entries and exits, floating and recovering from a float, bobbing towards safety. Have them practice some simple breath control exercises (holding breath under water and rhythmic blowing bubbles in water then coming up for one breath then repeat). Have them practice some propulsion methods such as kicking, then practice isolated arm movements. Once warmed up and more aware of their surroundings allow them to explore. As the adult in charge you’ll want to make sure they stay in shallow water and within reach if they are not yet accomplished swimmers. At the same time, you want them to explore.
Some basic water safety mantras include:
Don’t just pack it, wear your (life) jacket. Your PFD/ life jacket will not help if you don’t wear it. It will not matter how well you can swim if you are knocked unconscious.
Look before you leap. If you are in a pool, you need to look to see if there are ledges, steps or another swimmer where you plan on jumping in. If you are swimming in murky water, you want to know if there is a submerged object. Jumping onto a submerged tree, for example, might result in injury.
Swim with a buddy in a supervised area. Having another swimmer with you provides another person who is aware of you being in the water. Having supervision gives you another level of possible help if an emergency comes up.
Reach, throw, but don’t go. In the case of a distressed swimmer you can offer help without putting your life in danger. Reach out an object to the distressed swimmer. Items on hand might include a pool noodle, tree branch or towel. If the swimmer is too far to reach, objects you might throw include a pool noodle, life jacket, closed ice chest. Making physical contact with a distressed swimmer often results in a double drowning which is why it is strongly discouraged.
Be aware of depths before entering. Always make sure the water is deeper than you are tall before a head-first entry. On the other side of that situation be aware that if you jump from an elevated position into shallow water you will likely injure yourself, maybe even breaking a leg. The Kingfisher Beach Pier is an example of such a situation. The pier is elevated and the water below is shallow.
Glass has no place around swimming areas. Most swimmers walk around barefooted thus broken glass presents a problem. In a pool, glass may be hard to spot. It is much easier to keep all glass away from swimming areas be it a pool, hot tub, lake or beach.
Ingesting water or inhaling water can cause issues that become apparent hours after exiting the water. The smaller the child the more likely ingesting water can present problems. For the very young, under 3, parents should allow very few submersions especially if there is reason to believe the child is swallowing water.
Finally, drowning doesn’t look like drowning. A distressed swimmer is thinking of getting their next breath and will not scream for help. Drowning happens fast, often the victim is silent. One way to find out if a person is drowning is to ask them if they are ok. If the person is able to answer, then they probably are ok. If unable to answer or, then you may have only seconds to help them.
The best way to ensure one’s safety around water is to be able to swim. At the most basic level this makes it possible for an individual to save themselves if they get into a pickle. Being able to swim is a life skill that all should try to attain. It is never too late to acquire this skill.
For many of us it feels like the world as we know it has come to a grinding halt. I’m not sure who originally made this statement, but my Mother repeated it often: “This too shall pass.” I will be very happy when this is in our past.
