Water Safety

The first goal of our program is water safety. And, while it is quite a bit more than this, water safety is fundamentally about drowning prevention. From 2005-2014, there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States — about ten deaths per day. An additional 332 people died each year from drowning in boating-related incidents. About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. The loss of a child for any reason is a terrible blow; however, a loss that could have been prevented is pure and simple tragedy.

Here are some great tips to help keep your family safer in and around the water.

  1. Take swim lessons.
  2. Never swim alone.
  3. Swim only where there is qualified supervision. A supervisor should know:
    1. CPR
    2. First Aid
    3. Rescue procedures
    4. Have a cordless phone poolside.
  4. Never leave toys in or around the pool when not in use.
  5. Swim in pools where the water is clear and you can see the drain.
  6. Follow pool rules:
    1. No glass containers.
    2. Dive only in designated areas.
    3. No running.
    4. No eating or chewing gum while swimming.
    5. Wear a swim suit.
  7. Use only Coast Guard approved flotation devices while boating and fishing. Do not substitute inflatable toys for adult supervision.
  8. If someone is in trouble, find something that will float to throw, or reach out to the person … if nothing is around, YELL WHILE RUNNING FOR HELP!
  9. Evacuate pool and deck at first signs of thunder or lightning.
  10. Use layered protection:
    1. Fences surrounding pools.
    2. Self closing, self latching gates.
    3. Dead bolts on doors leading to the pool.
    4. Weight-bearing pool covers.