First Aid Friday: Water Safety And Drowining

April Showers...  Water Safety

Back in November I came across a post on Our Best Bites about drowning.  I thought it so well written and excellent advice that I want to reiterate and share that post and information again.

Here is the original post from Our Best Bites:  http://www.ourbestbites.com/2012/11/some-life-lessons/

I can't imagine the terror of that incident, as thankfully I've not had to live through it.  I have had a friend lose a daughter to drowning.  I wasn't there when it happened or there to comfort her as I was serving a mission for my church at the time.  They were in an area with numerous other people, yet no one saw it happening--yes it can happen that quick--it can happen before your eyes or when you are turned around even briefly.

So I want to share some basic water safety guidelines, but I highly suggest reading the post on Our Best Bites:
1.  NEVER swim alone.  Even if you feel you or your loved one is a good swimmer there are instances that even that can't help in times of crisis--when someone gets scared they may not think properly, or in rip-tide, etc.
2.  Learn to float, swim and tread water.  And have kids learn too.
3.  Learn basic first aid and CPR.
4.  Don't rely on swim skills or water toys and devices (like arm floaties or pool noodles)--be watchful constantly.  Problems can and do arise without warning, and can go down hill very quickly.
5.  Set firm rules & consequences for swim and play.  No running, no pushing others under the water, no jumping in where it is shallow or where someone is, etc.
6.  Know your limits--if you don't feel comfortable watching more than 1 or 2 children in the water at a time, don't.  If you don't feel comfortable watching someone else's kids in the water, don't.  If you feel comfortable watching your kids in a pool but not at the beach, then stick with the pool.  Don't let pressure of seeing and being with friends take you out of your comfort limit/zone or distract you from being watchful.
7.  Know your child's limits--they tend to tire quicker than an adult so staying in the water for hours on end will lessen their ability to be their best.  Know their swim skills and level, and plan water activity & company accordingly.

8.  ALWAYS follow warning signs.  At the beach they have flags and signs that warn if there is no lifeguard, or if there is marine/wild life that could be dangerous (alligators, jellyfish, shark, etc) or if the water itself is unsafe (rip-tide, contaminated, etc).  Going against warnings is putting yourself and others (those who might have to try and save you) at risk...It just isn't worth it.

And as a side note:  don't feed the wildlife.  In general alligators won't come near humans--unless they have come to connect humans with food because they've been fed by humans.