Top 5 Water Safety Tips
With the longer, warmer and sunnier days upon us, we are spending more time around and in the water. It’s more than likely that you have some time booked away at the beach or have organised a pool party with your friends, which is why it is more important than ever, to know some tips for staying safe near the water.
Regardless of whether you’re at the beach, a lake, a river or a blow-up pool set up in your friend’s backyard, water can pose a severe threat to the safety of all. Between July 2019 and June 2020, a tragic loss of 248 lives was due to drowning. Knowing a few safety tips may be the difference between life and death. Other than learning to swim, here is a list of tips to keep you safe around the water this year.
1. Always stay close to children
Even if your child is a confident swimmer, you must always supervise them. Especially in open water, the conditions and currents can change swiftly. Things can happen in the blink of an eye and ensuring that your child is close by will reduce the risk of harm.
2. Pay attention to signs and the flags
Before you run into the waves or get into the pool, be mindful of any signage or information that indicates conditions and any potential dangers of swimming in that water. Lifesavers on our beaches set up the flags to ensure you are swimming in the safest possible location on the beach. Be mindful to listen to lifesavers and lifeguards, as they are acting in your best interest!
3. Check the depth of the pool
Before you go diving into the pool, be aware of the depth of the pool. All pools vary in depths and all vary in how fast they change depth from one end to the other. Water often warps how deep you think the pool is and jumping into too shallow water can result in severe injuries. If you can’t find any signage at your pool, be sure to ask the lifeguard on duty or another staff member.
4. If you get into trouble, stay calm and signal for help
This tip goes for all bodies of water, as none are exempt from being dangerous. If you are in a patrolled space (like a pool or a beach), try and remain calm and raise your hand to signal for help. If you are being pulled by a current or rip, do not try to swim against it, rather float with it, or swim towards breaking waves. The most important thing to remember is to not panic.
5. Learn CPR and first aid
Knowing how to perform CPR and basic first aid is crucial to being around water. There are many risks that come with swimming, in particular drowning. Knowing basic first aid and how to perform a resuscitation may lead you to save someone’s life.
From pools to rivers, the same safety precautions apply. To put it simply, be aware, be switched on and be prepared! These tips will help you feel more comfortable in knowing that the next time you’re by the water, you can have fun and be safe.
If you are interested in learning to swim or working on those skills for the next time you head to the beach, contact Aquastar now.
