Stay safe around water: What adults should know

Don’t let those commercials of Olympic swimmers diving headfirst into turbulent ocean waters fool you. Just because you know how to swim, that doesn’t mean you’re invincible. Unfortunately, too many overconfident swimmers drown because they’re more willing to take risks in the water. (The risks increase if you’re in open water.) Just as you wouldn’t play with fire, water is another element that can be deadly if you underestimate it.

It might sound like fun to go for a peaceful dip in the pool or do a little night swimming on your own, but this is about as safe as driving with your eyes shut. Even if you’re the best swimmer in the world, you can’t always predict what might happen. What if you lost consciousness and no one was around? What if a belt loop hooked tree branch you couldn’t see underwater? Too many things could go wrong and it’s not worth taking the risk. 

It might look nice and deep, but never dive headfirst into water unless you know for certain that it’s safe and there are no objects in the way. Always enter feet first before you decide to dive.

This may go against your natural instincts, but if someone is drowning or in danger in the water, resist the urge to dive in after them. Doing so may put both of you in danger. Instead, practice the old “reach, throw, row or don’t go” method of rescue. Reach out to the person with any object they might be able to grab onto. Throw them a life jacket or something to help them float. If you’re on a boat, you can use oars to row closer to a person to reach or throw something to them. (Make sure not to put your boat’s motor toward a person in the water.)

If you can’t do any of the above, your best option is “don’t go.” It’s a very difficult decision to make, but making yourself a victim won’t help anyone.

For all the reasons listed above, it’s important to have as many safety measures in place as possible. While a trained lifeguard is ideal, there isn’t always one on duty. That’s why it’s a good idea to appoint someone to be a “water watcher.” One of the biggest hazards to water safety is distraction, so make sure this is someone who won’t be looking at their phone or falling asleep on the shore. (Think of it as a designated driver, but for water sports.) Download and print a “water watcher” card from Primary Children’s Hospital to help everyone remember who the “water watcher” is.

Here’s a scary thought: More than half of U.S. adults don’t know how to swim well enough to save their lives. If you’ve been doggy-paddling your way through life, it’s time to take things more seriously. Enrolling in an adult swim class is a smart thing to do if you’ve never learned the basics — or if you’re looking to improve. And since half of your friends don’t know how to swim well enough either, you’ll have plenty of friends who can join you.

If you shouldn’t drink and drive, you shouldn’t drink and dive. Period. Alcohol numbs your senses, which is absolutely the last thing you want when you’re surrounded by an element that could easily kill you.

It’s called a life-preserver for a reason. The simple fact is that if more adults would wear a life jacket, drastically more lives would be saved. Wondering how often you should wear it? The National Park Service recommends wearing a life jacket anytime you’re on, near, or in the water. For any water activity, a life jacket is always a safe bet.

Now that you know how to take care of yourself better, be sure to brush up on some water safety guidelines to protect the rest of your family.

You can find more water safety tips and learn about other child safety topics by visiting primarychildrens.org/safety.