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These General Water Safety Tips will help you
stay safe in, on, and around the water! Check out our additional safety tips below for
specialized aquatic activities.
General Water Safety Tips
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim
alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming
ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the
American Red Cross.
- Swim
in supervised areas only.
- Obey
all rules and posted signs.
- Watch
out for the "dangerous too's"--too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too
much sun, too much strenuous activity.
- Don’t
mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol impairs your judgement, balance, and coordination,
affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
- Pay
attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication
of bad weather.
- Know
how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
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Beach Safety
- Protect your skin: Sunlight contains two kinds of UV
rays -- UVA increases the risk of skin cancer, skin aging, and other skin diseases. UVB
causes sunburn and can lead to skin cancer. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you
receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear a sunscreen with a sun protection factor
containing a high rating such as 15.
- Drink plenty of water regularly and often even if you do
not feel thirsty. Your body needs water to keep cool. Avoid drinks with alcohol or
caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly but make the heat's effects on your
body worse. This is especially true with beer, which dehydrates the body.
- Watch for signs of heat stroke: Heat stroke is
life-threatening. The victim's temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool
the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death
may result if the body is not cooled quickly. Signals include hot, red, and dry skin;
changes in consciousness, rapid, weak pulse, and rapid, shallow breathing. Call 9-1-1 or
your local EMS number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body by
wrapping wet sheets around the body and fan it. If you have ice packs or cold packs, place
them on each of the victim's wrists and ankles, in the armpits and on the neck to cool the
large blood vessels. Watch for signals of breathing problems and make sure the airway is
clear. Keep the person lying down.
- Wear eye protection: Sunglasses are like sunscreen for
your eyes and protect against damage that can occur from UV rays. Be sure to wear
sunglasses with labels that indicate that they absorb at least 90 percent of UV sunlight.
- Wear foot protection: Many times, people's feet can get
burned from the sand or cut from glass in the sand.
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Boating
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in
any boating activity. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age
and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contactthe Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Alcohol
and boating don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination -- over 50
percent of drownings result from boating incidents involving alcohol. For the same reasons
it is dangerous to operate an automobile while under the influence of alcohol, people
should not operate a boat while drinking alcohol.
- Look
for the label: Use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for yourself and your passengers when
boating and fishing.
- Develop
a float plan. Anytime you go out in a boat, give a responsible person details about where
you will be and how long you will be gone. This is important because if the boat is
delayed because of an emergency, becomes lost, or encounters other problems, you want help
to be able to reach you.
- Find
a boating course in your area (Red Cross, U.S. Power Squadron, the U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary, US Sailing, etc) -- these courses teach about navigation rules, emergency
procedures and the effects of wind, water conditions, and weather.
- Watch
the weather: Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Watch local
news programs. Stop boating as soon as you see or hear a storm.
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Home Pools
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The
American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To
enroll in a course to learn or improve your ability to swim, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Never
leave a child unobserved around water. Your eyes must be on the child at all times. Adult
supervision is recommended.
- Install
a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an
emergency.
- Learn
Red Cross CPR and insist that babysitters, grandparents, and others who care for your
child know CPR.
- Post
CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
- Enclose
the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. 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.
- Never
leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence.
- Always
keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. Pole, rope, and
personal flotation devices (PFDs) are recommended.
- Keep
toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children into the
pool.
- Pool
covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.
- To
learn more about home pool safety, you can purchase the video It Only Takes a Minute from
your local Red Cross chapter.
- If
a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire
pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.
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Keeping Children Safe In, On, and
Around the Water
- Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around
any water environment (pool, stream, lake, tub, toilet, bucket of water), no matter what
skills your child has acquired and no matter how shallow the water.
- 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, leaving the child in a
dangerous situation.
- Enroll children in a water safety course or Learn to
Swim program. Your decision to provide your child with an early aquatic experience is a
gift that will have infinite rewards. These courses encourage safe practices. You can also
purchase a Community Water Safety manual at the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Parents
should take a CPR course. Knowing these skills can be important around the water and you
will expand your capabilities in providing care for your child. You can contact your local
Red Cross to enroll in a CPR for Infants and Child course.
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Lakes and Rivers
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe
in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The
American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To
enroll in swim course, contactthe
Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
- Select
a supervised area. 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. Never
swim alone.
- Select
an area that is clean and well maintained. A clean bathhouse, clean restrooms, and a
litter-free environment show the management’s concern for your health and safety.
- Select
an area that has good water quality and safe natural conditions. Murky water, hidden
underwater objects, unexpected drop-offs, and aquatic plant life are hazards. Water
pollution can cause health problems for swimmers. Strong tides, big waves, and currents
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.
- Be
sure rafts and docks are in good condition. A well-run open-water facility maintains its
rafts and docks in good condition, with no loose boards or exposed nails. Never swim under
a raft or dock. Always look before jumping off a dock or raft to be sure no one is in the
way.
- Avoid
drainage ditches and arroyos. Drainage ditches and arroyos for water run-off 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 a human life. Even the strongest swimmers are no
match for the power of the water. Fast water and debris in the current make ditches and
arroyos very dangerous.
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Ocean Safety
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe
in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The
American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability.
Contact the Adams County Chapter
of the American Red Cross for information on courses.
- Stay
within the designated swimming area, ideally within the visibility of a lifeguard.
- Never
swim alone.
- Check
the surf conditions before you enter the water. Check to see if a warning flag is
up or check with a lifeguard for water conditions, beach conditions, or any potential
hazards.
- Stay
away from piers, pilings, and diving platforms when in the water.
- Keep
a lookout for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of
plants. Leave animals alone.
- 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.
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Personal Watercraft (Jet Skis)
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe
in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any
water sport or boating activity. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of
any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Know
your local laws and regulations. Some states have special laws governing the use of
personal water craft (PWC) which address operations, registration and licensing
requirements, education, required safety equipment and minimum ages.
- Operate
your PWC with courtesy and common sense. Follow the traffic pattern of the waterway. Obey
no-wake and speed zones.
- Use
extreme caution around swimmers and surfers. Run your PWC at a slow speed until the craft
is away from shore, swimming areas, and docks. Avoid passing close to other boats and
jumping wakes. This behavior is dangerous and often illegal.
- Coast
Guard-approved life jackets should be worn by the operator of the PWC as well as any
riders.
- Ride
with a buddy. PWCs should always travel in groups of two or three. You never know when an
emergency might occur.
- Alcohol
and operating a PWC doesn’t mix. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and
coordination. For the same reasons it is dangerous to operate an automobile, people should
not operate a boat or PWC while drinking alcohol.
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Sailboarding and Windsurfing
- Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Wear a wet suit in cold water to prevent
hypothermia.
- You need good physical strength and swimming
ability. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming
ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Take
windsurfing lessons from a qualified instructor.
- Know
local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because
water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the
water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas
dangerous.
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Skin and SCUBA Diving
- Receive instructions/take lessons from qualified divers
before participating.
- Get a medical examination and take a swim test before
learning SCUBA diving.
- Once certified, do not dive in rough or dangerous waters
or in environments for which youare not trained. Ice, cave, and shipwreck diving require
special training. One can easily get lost or trapped and run out of air.
- Never dive by yourself.
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe
in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any
water sport. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and
swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Know
local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because
water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the
water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas
dangerous.
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Snorkeling
- Practice in shallow water.
- Check the equipment carefully and know how it
functions.
- Learn how to clear water from the snorkel.
- Learn how to put your mask back on when you tread
water.
- Be careful not to swim or be carried by a current too
far from shore or the boat.
- Never snorkel alone.
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in
any water sport. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and
swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Know
local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because
water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the
water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas
dangerous.
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Surfing
- Take lessons from an experienced individual.
- Wear a wet suit when in cold water.
- Never surf alone.
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in
any water sport. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and
swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Know
local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because
water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the
water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas
dangerous.
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Tubing and Rafting
- Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Do not overload the raft.
- Do not go rafting after a heavy rain.
- When rafting with a tour company, make sure the guides
are qualified. Check with the localchamber of commerce for listings of accredited tour
guides and companies.
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. This includes anyone participating in
any water sport. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and
swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Know
local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Because
water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating, or any activities on the
water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas
dangerous.
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Waterparks
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The
American Red Cross has swimmingcourses for people of any age and swimming ability. To
enroll in a swim course, contact the
Adams County Chapter of the American Red Cross.
- Be
sure the area is well supervised by lifeguards before you or others in your group enterthe
water.
- Read
all posted signs. Follow the rules and directions given by lifeguards. Ask questions ifyou
are not sure about a correct procedure.
- When
you go from one attraction to another, note that the water depth may be different andthat
the attraction should be used in a different way.
- Before
you start down a water slide, get in the correct position -- face up and feet first.
- Some
facilities provide life jackets at no charge. If you cannot swim, wear a Coast
Guard-approved life jacket. Check others in your group as well.
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Water Skiing
- Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Be sure the boat and ski equipment are in good shape.
- Always turn the boat motor completely off when you
approach a fallen skier.
- Watch the water ahead of you at all times.
- Have an extra person aboard to watch and assist the
skier.
- Run parallel to shore and come in slowly when landing.
Sit down if coming in too fast.
- Use proper hand signals to signal boat operator.
- Do not ski at night or in restricted areas.
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay
safe in and around the water is tolearn to swim. This includes anyone participating in any
water sport. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and
swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact the Adams County Chapter of the American Red
Cross.
- Know
local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe.Because
water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming, boating or any activities on the
water as soon as you see or hear a storm. Also, heavy rains can make certain areas
dangerous.
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BACK TO HEALTH & SAFETY TIPS
**Taken from www.redcross.org
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