Red Cross 
Summer Preparedness

Water Safety “Tips to Live By”  

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is always a great time for children and parents to enjoy outdoor activities especially swimming at local pools, lakes, rivers, and beaches. 

In an effort to save lives, the American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter urges local families to remember the following water safety tips when engaging in activities in or around the water. 

Drowning is the second leading cause of death from unintentional injuries for youth ages 5 to 24 years old and the fourth leading cause of death from unintentional injuries for all ages.

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The good news is that most water tragedies can be prevented, so both parents and children need to remember to follow the basic rules of water safety.

Following these simple water-related safety tips may help reduce the number of drownings and other water-related injuries that may occur this summer.

Water Safety Checklist

·     Learn to swim and swim well. One of the best 
   things anyone can do to stay safe in and 
   around the water is learn to swim. 

·     Always swim with a buddy. No one, including 
   adults, should ever swim alone. 

·     Swim in supervised areas only. Obey all rules
   and posted signs.

·     Maintain constant supervision. Watch 
   children around any water environment (pool,     
   stream, pond, lake, tub, toilet, bucket of water) 
   – no matter how shallow the water. Adults 
   should practice “reach supervision” which 
   means to be within arm’s length of a child in 
   case an emergency occurs.

·     Don’t rely on substitutes. The use of 
   flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot 
   replace parental supervision. Such devices 
   could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip 
   out from underneath the child leaving them in 
   a dangerous situation.

·     Select a supervised area when possible.  
   A trained lifeguard who can help in an 
   emergency is the best safety factor. Even good 
   swimmers can have an unexpected medical 
   emergency in the water. 

Water Safety Checklist

·    Avoid murky waters, hidden underwater objects, unexpected drop-offs, and aquatic 
   plant life which can be hazardous.  Never swim under a raft or dock. Strong tides, big 
  waves, and current can turn an event that began as fun into a tragedy. 

·     Make sure the water is deep enough before entering headfirst. Too many swimmers 
   are seriously injured every year by entering headfirst into water that is too shallow. A 
   feetfirst entry is much safer than diving.

·     Learn Red Cross first aid and CPR. Know how to prevent, recognize, and respond to
   emergencies. While the above tips can help prevent emergencies, it is important to know 
   what to do if a situation arises. And all caregivers, including grandparents, older siblings 
   and babysitters should be trained in these lifesaving skills.

·     Watch out for the “DANGEROUS TOO’S” – Too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, and too much strenuous activity. Make sure you always have enough energy to swim back to shore. Don’t try to swim against a current if caught in one. Swim gradually out of the current by swimming across it.

·    Outfit everyone with the proper gear. Children and even adults – who are not strong swimmers or who appear to rely on inflatable toys for safety should use U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) whenever they are in or around the water. This lifesaving lightweight plastic equipment when used properly can help save lives. Everyone, including strong swimmers, should use an approved PFD when boating. Each person should have the appropriate personal flotation device for his or her weight and size, which is found clearly marked inside the label near the Coast Guard stamp. A great idea is to make a family day out of learning the rules of water safety and shopping for durable safety equipment together at a local store. 

·    Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by a residential pool and know how to use it. A first aid kit, cordless phone, phone list with emergency contact information, a reaching pole, and a ring buoy with a nylon line attached are recommended. Cordless phones allow you to make that 911 call if necessary and also receive calls without leaving the area. First aid kits should contain plastic face shields, which can help prevent disease transmission. Plastic ring buoys are so light and easy to maneuver that even a child could use one should the need arise to help save a life. These items coupled with a pool emergency action plan—similar to a fire drill—are critical to have ready in case of a crisis.

·    The Red Cross recommends that pools be surrounded on all sides by a fence. It
   should not provide any footholds, which would allow a child to climb over or spacing to 
   climb through. The fence should have vertical bars and have a self-closing, self-locking 
   gate that is locked when the pool is not in use. Openings in the fence should be no more 
   than four inches wide. If the house is part of the barrier, the doors leading from the house 
   to the pool should remain locked and be protected with an alarm that produces sounds 
   when the door is unexpectedly opened. 

·    Don’t mix alcohol and swimming or any other water-related activity. Alcohol impairs
   judgment, balance, coordination which affects swimming and diving skills, and reduces the 
   body’s ability to stay warm.

·    Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first 
   sign of bad weather. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, 
   boating, or any activity on the water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains 
   can make certain areas dangerous. Make sure to check the water conditions and for any 
   potential hazards. Avoid drainage ditches and streams – they are not good places for 
   swimming or playing in the water. After heavy rains, they can quickly change into raging 
   rivers that can easily take human life. Even the strongest swimmers are not match for the 
   power of the water. Fast water and debris in the current can make ditches and streams 
   very dangerous. 

·    Pack a “safety” bag for a day at the beach or lake. Water-proof sunscreen with an SPF 
   15 or higher, water shoes to keep feet safe from the heat and sharp objects on land and 
   plenty of water are must haves. And all containers should be plastic to prevent injuries from 
   breaking glass. A properly packed safety bag will help ensure a fun day in which everyone
   comes home safe and sound.

·    The Red Cross also has information about local pools in the community, which offer 
   Red Cross certified swimming instruction.