This Page About Think Safety at the Swimming Pool and Beach

Think Safety at the Swimming Pool and Beach

According to the U.S. Lifesaving Association, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death in the United States, and the second leading cause of death for people ages 5 to 44. For children ages 1 to 2, drowning is the leading cause of injury death.

Most safety organizations, including the National Spa and Pool Institute and the Drowning Prevention Foundation, agree: The primary element in preventing pool and beach incidents of any kind is constant supervision.

However, even with supervision, problems can still occur. For boys between the ages of 1 and 3 who have drowned, most of the victims were being supervised by one or both parents, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

The ideal way to swim is not only with someone, but in the vicinity of a trained rescuer. It's the U.S. Lifesaving Association's motto: Swim near a lifeguard. "Unless you're trained, there's not much you can do," says USLA National Secretary David Shotwell. And due to the unpredictable nature of the ocean, it's unwise for untrained individuals to attempt open water rescues. "Lifeguards know their territories and the conditions of the water," Shotwell says.

The National Safety Council and Jeff Ellis & Associates' Learn to Swim program teaches lifeguards that they must be able to scan a water area within 10 seconds and should be able to reach the person in distress within 20 seconds. This rule can also be used by non-lifeguards who are supervising children in the water.

Know your way around a pool

Whether at the beach or in the backyard, there are rules to follow to make swimming as safe and injury-free as possible. One of the most obvious is to learn how to swim. In addition, use a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device, but never as a substitute for knowing how to swim.

The more accessible these objects are, the easier it will be for swimmers to rely on one if they begin to struggle. And remember, air-filled rafts and tubes are not considered actual safety devices or PFDs.

Another water-related guideline -- prohibit alcohol consumption -- is crucial. The USLA calls alcohol a "major factor" in drowning. It reduces body temperature and impairs swimming ability. It also impairs judgement, inducing people to take risks they wouldn't otherwise take.

Lastly, families with pools should have an action plan ready in case of an emergency. Think through an emergency and practice what to do until help arrives.

Know what you're leaping into

Diving into unfamiliar water is a major reason for aquatic-associated spinal injuries. The easiest tip to remember regarding water safety is never dive into any unknown water.

Erik Knapp's most distinctive childhood memory of the swimming pool is when he dove into the shallow water of a hotel pool on a family vacation. "I was 9 years old, and I was really anxious to get in the water," Knapp says. "I dove right into two-feet of water and cracked my head open. I had to get six stitches."

Parents should encourage their children to "stop, watch and walk into the water," the USLA advises, because "perhaps more than any other trauma injury, [spinal injuries] can have severe lifelong consequences."

Pool- and beach-goers should take even the most unlikely precautions. In June 1998, as many as a dozen children were contaminated with the E. coli bacteria at an Atlanta water park, and one child died. The incident marked the first time that E. coli was reported in a public pool, and it was believed to have been caused by a sick child with diarrhea. According to the National Spa and Pool Institute, chlorine and other disinfectants generally destroy bacteria, but the levels should be monitored and should adhere to state standards. Additionally, toddlers should wear swim diapers designed to contain urine and feces.

Slop on the sunscreen

In the summer, the sun's rays are hard to avoid, but there are steps you can take. The American Cancer Society suggests "Slip! Slop! Slap!" First, slip on a shirt, preferably made of "tightly woven fabrics" that block the sun's permeation. Next, 20 minutes before going outside, slop on sunscreen with a skin protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. However, never apply sunscreen to children under 6 months of age. Instead, limit the time they spend in the sun, says Nyki Brandon Palermo, program manager for the National Safety Council's Environmental Health Center. Finally, slap on a hat -- one broad enough to shade the sensitive skin on your face, ears and neck.

What about cultivating a harmless bronze tan? Forget it. Dr. Darrell Rigal, professor of dermatology at New York University, says, "There's no such thing as a safe tan." A tan is simply the skin's pigment trying to protect itself from damage, and tans are actually unhealthy. "The skin never recovers from the sun," Rigal says. "The damage is permanent and cumulative. Continue to learn more about swimming, please visit National Safety Council.

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