Water Safety, Summer Swimming, Swim Tips

1. Swimming Skills: Essential for Water Safety

• Children’s Refresher: Book a refresher series of swimming lessons to get your child reacquainted with the pool and their swimming skills.

• Swim Readiness for Adults: Remember everyone in your group will benefit from a refresher on swimming safety and strokes.

Keywords: Swimming Lessons, Family Swim Safety, Swimming Skills

2. Know Your Water Environment

• Preparation and Reminders: Talk about safe behavior expectations for the trip, possible dangers and review the gear you will use in each swimming scenario. Do this for each body of water you may visit.

• Beach Safety for Families: Understand beach hazards like tides, rip currents, and marine life to keep your family safe.

• Pool Safety Basics: Learn crucial pool safety tips, including understanding depth markers and avoiding slips.

• Lake and River Swimming: Equip your family with knowledge about unique lake and river swimming challenges.

• Remind and Repeat: Reinforce the safe behavior expectations and possible dangers before each different swimming scenario. These few seconds of recollection will help keep your family safe and having fun around the water.

Keywords: Beach Safety, Pool Safety, Lake Swimming, River Swimming, Rip Tide

3. Essential Equipment

• Swim Essentials and Accessories: Does the swimwear fit? How about goggles? Has the sunscreen expired? Do you need specific gear for a body of water; snorkeling, boarding, rafting, boating?

• Boating Safety Gear: Don't overlook the importance of USCG-approved life jackets during family boating adventures.

• Fun Floating and Gliding: Find some new floating toys for younger swimmers. Solid figures make great toys that stronger swimmers use for diving games.

Keywords: Life Jackets, Boating Safety, Children's Water Safety, Swim Toys

4. Supervision and The Buddy System

• Training and Readiness: If you know your swimmer has a hard time putting their face in the water, then start to practice putting their face in the water in the bathtub several weeks before your trip.

• Trust but Verify: Make sure the person tasked with watching the kids can swim and can effectively rescue a struggling swimmer if needed. Are they able to swim to the bottom of the pool to pull someone up?

• Never Swim Alone: Teach the importance of the buddy system and ensure adult supervision at all times.

• Constant Vigilance Near Water: Understand the critical role of adult supervision in preventing accidents.

• Stay Close and Alert: Make sure that you are always within arms length of your new swimmer. It’s amazing how a little water in their goggles or water up their nose will cause them to forget all swimming skills! Be there when that happens to give them a quick hand.

Keywords: Buddy System, Swimming Supervision, Water Safety, 

5. Protecting Your Family from the Sun

• Sun Safety for Swimmers: Use water-resistant SPF 30 sunscreen to guard against sunburn and reapply regularly.

• Stay Hydrated and Cool: Tips on maintaining hydration and seeking shade to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Keywords: Sun Protection, Sunscreen for Swimming, Family Sun Safety

6. Be Prepared for Emergencies

• CPR and First Aid Skills: Learn CPR and first aid to handle water-related emergencies.

• Emergency Contacts and Information: Keep local emergency contacts, including lifeguards and medical facilities, handy.

Keywords: CPR for Swimmers, Water Safety First Aid, Emergency Preparedness

7. Follow Local Water Safety Rules

• Adhere to Water Safety Signs: Teach your family to respect and follow all water safety signs and warnings.

• Know the Local Water Laws: Stay informed about local regulations and guidelines for water safety.

Keywords: Water Safety Rules, Swimming Regulations, Local Water Laws