Water Safety

Category: Home and Family

Time for a refresher on water safety guidelines? Pool owners should be especially careful, but anyone who participates in water sports should find this information helpful.  Pool Safety A backyard pool is a most prized possession in the heat of the summer, but it can be dangerous if not used and equipped properly. All the members of your family should learn and understand the rules as well as the basics of first aid. Supervision Any momentary lapse of supervision could mean disaster. Never leave non-swimmers or small children alone in the pool area. A responsible swimmer should always be in attendance when there are swimmers in the pool. Walk, don't run, on poolside decks. These have a tendency to be "slippery when wet" and can cause accidents. Equipment Have a portable telephone at poolside. Supply plenty of dry towels for quivering bodies. Make sure a trash can or wastebasket is handy. Use plastic or metal, not glass, containers for drinking. Broken glass in the pool is just about impossible to see. Treat your pool outing as if it were a day at the beach. Don't be casual about it just because the pool is in your backyard. Fencing You need to be sure that you have your pool properly fenced. Without a doubt, your fence should be difficult to climb. Suggested fencing is small chain-link. If you have the larger chain-link fence, buy some plastic slats to lace through the links. There are two types of fencing. Perimeter fencing goes around the entire backyard. It is unsafe when it comes to preventing pool disaster. Make sure the pool has an " isolated fence". An isolated fence separates the pool from the rest of the backyard. The entry to the pool should be guarded. Gates should always open outward and should close and latch automatically. Life Saving Devices At a minimum, there should be a Coast Guard approved life ring as well as a long pole and rope. Other safety devices can be added. A LARGE sign posting the pool depth should be in plain view. There should always be someone present who knows how to provide first aid and resuscitation in case of accident or injury. Diving  NEVER dive alone. Have someone else present even if you are just practicing. LOOK before you leap. Make sure the preceding diver has cleared the diving area. Also look for floating objects that may cross yourpath. NEVER dive headfirst into any body of water unless you know its depth. Jump feet first the first time. CHECK the depth of the water in front of and on the sides of where you are diving. Know where the water starts to get shallow. WHEN diving head first, make sure your hands are in font of you. They should enter the water before the rest of your body. DO NOT dive from a springboard if the front end is noticeably higher than the rear end. An uneven pitch may throw you back towards the board. NEVER dive from the side of a springboard. LEARNING TO DIVE? Never turn your head to the side when you hit the water. This can cause a broken eardrum. Never dive with a head cold as this can cause sinus and ear infections. Swimming Everyone should know how to swim. Well over 120,000,000 Americans alone participate in some form of recreational swimming or water activity. RELAXING and remaining at ease in the water is the mark of a good safe swimmer. Being cautious and careful in all types of water insures enjoyable and safe water activities. CRAMPING in your stomach or leg can be frightening. RELAX, get to safety and knead the cramping muscle. COMMON SENSE should tell you not to swim when you are freezing cold, sick, or when you have a large cut or open sore, an earache, or when there is an electrical storm. DON'T PANIC. Staying calm is critical in all dangerous situations.  NEVER SWIM ALONE. Swim in supervised areas, and always follow posted rules. Know your limitations. Don't overestimate your ability. Use the "buddy system". AVOID using artificial swim aides as life preservers. KNOW the water conditions. Know when there is a current and how deep it is. Feel the temperature. Unfamiliar waters should be approached with caution.  STRONG CURRENTS AND RIP should be avoided. If you ever get caught in these, you should always remember to SWIM PARALLEL TO SHORE. STAY AWAY from weeds, rocks or other underwater obstructions.

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