Two more weeks to Labor Day weekend which is also known to most as the official end of summer. I’m sure many people will be heading to the beach, the pool or going on vacation before the swim season ends.

After decades of not knowing how to swim, I recently started swim lessons for myself and I enrolled my daughter, 8 years old. I asked myself, What if I was with my girls at the pool and something happened and there was no lifeguard or no one around to help? Would I be able to help my children, or would I have to sit back helpless? Would I even know the signs to look for of someone drowning?

So, I researched as much as I could regarding water safety and basic water techniques, and I want to remind my moms and dads to practice water safety as the summer winds down.

Reminders:

TAKE SWIM LESSONS:   It’s never too late to learn. All children should learn to swim. It saves lives.

MAKE WATER SAFETY A ROUTINE:  Parents should never leave kids alone or with another child while near open water. Teens and children should wear life jackets near open bodies of water. Floaties and other water devices are not life-saving devices. They do not protect against drowning. Parents and teens can learn CPR.

PAY ATTENTION:   Be vigilant and try not to engage in other distracting activities like being on social media. The supervising adult should be within arm’s length away. You may only have about 30 seconds to get to a drowning child, which is why touch-supervision is crucial.

KNOW THE SIGNS OF DROWNING:   Drowning does not look like what you would expect.  It is not yelling and thrashing in the water like when you are having water distress.  True drowning is subtle.  Except in very rare instances, a person who is drowning is not physically able to call out for help.   Look out for signs of hyperventilating, head low in the water, mouth at water level, and not using their legs. You should be hearing lots of noise.  Kids are not quiet in the water.    If you hear silence, get to them as quickly as you can.   Every year, about 370 children ages 10 to 19 drown. . . Children of color, especially African-American teens are especially at risk. Sarah Denny, M.D. Click To Tweet

The number three cause for accidental death is drowning among the ages of 5 and 19 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated their recommendations to prevent drowning in children, and Healthychildren.org has published water safety advice based on a child’s developmental age.

 

Be safe guys and enjoy the last couple of weeks of summer!!

 

We are headed to the beach this weekend.  Upload pictures soon and make sure to look out for the latest post, The Best Foods to Pack for the Beach.

 

health and happiness. . .