Water Safety Rules & Guidelines in Swimming PDF

Water Safety, Rules & Guidelines in Swimming PATHFIT 3 DANCE AND SPORTS (BASIC SWIMMING)  Basic Water Safety Rules A great number of aquatic emergencies involving young children occur from a lapse in supervision, which is why it is paramount to keep your eyes on children at a...

Water Safety, Rules & Guidelines in Swimming PATHFIT 3 DANCE AND SPORTS (BASIC SWIMMING)  Basic Water Safety Rules A great number of aquatic emergencies involving young children occur from a lapse in supervision, which is why it is paramount to keep your eyes on children at all times. - You and your family should only swim in designated areas and whenever possible, under the supervision of a qualified life guard. - A responsible individual(s) should be designated to watch over children whenever they are in, on or around any body of water, even if a lifeguard is present. This individual should not be distracted or drinking alcohol and should know how to respond to an  - An adult should stay within arms’ reach of weak swimmers and young children regardless of their swimming ability. - Have young children or inexperienced swimmers take extra precautions by wearing a U.S. Coast Guard – approved life jacket. o Substitutes such as water wings, swim rings, inflatable toys and other items designed for water recreation cannot replace responsible adult supervision, nor should they be counted on as lifesaving devices. o These devices can suddenly shift position, lose Knowing and enforcing what is safe and unsafe behavior in and around aquatic environments is a part of good supervision. - Facilities should have their rules posted in clear view. Read and follow the rules and teach them to your children. - Each child’s swimming ability is different. Know his or her ability level and set specific rules based on the swimming ability. - If you have a home pool, you need to set Other basic rules and tips to teach your children for all aquatic environments include the following: o Always swim with a partner or as a pair. Never swim alone! o Swim only in supervised areas. o Always walk, never run or skip. o Check the depth of the water before jumping or diving in the water. o Look for potential hazards and make sure no one is in front of you before jumping or diving. o Stay away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapment. o Do not eat or chew gum while swimming. o Shower before and after swimming in a pool, river, lake or ocean. o Watch out for the “dangerous toos”: too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much strenuous activity. Supervision around the water requires total and constant attention to those in the water or at risk for getting in the water. The supervisor needs to: o Have the developmental maturity to assess the situation. o Be able to establish and enforce rules. o Have the knowledge and skills to respond to problems, including how to perform a water rescue without getting in the water and putting himself or herself at risk for drowning too! o Make sure everyone being supervised knows who is in charge. On arriving at the water environment, the person in charge of supervision should evaluate the area, identifying: o Where lifeguards are stationed. o The boundaries of the designated swim area. o How to call for emergency help, including if there is cell phone reception for calling 9-1-1 or the local emergency number if necessary. Potential hazards such as: - Currents - Drop-offs, uneven bottoms, or objects in or under the water that pose a hazard or would surprise a swimmer. - Other activities occurring that could be a hazard, such as motorboats. - To learn more, take a Red Cross Water Safety course… supervision around the water is a real job. - A circle of safety is essential for drowning prevention. Multiple layers of protection work together. This starts before you even get to the water by: o Providing close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water. o Fencing pools and spas with adequate barriers, including 4-sided fencing. o Learning swimming and water safety survival skills. o Always wear a life jacket when on a boat, and when swimming if you are a poor swimmer. o Swimming in a lifeguarded area. SUMMARY Swimming is great exercise, as well as a fun way to spend time together as a family. There's nothing like spending an afternoon splashing around in the water and enjoying being together. Unfortunately, many people don't realize how dangerous swimming can be without careful preparation. Learning how to swim also has multiple benefits beyond the ability to enjoy the water safely. It helps children strive for physical achievement, promotes healthy living and builds their confidence.  Classroom Activity: In a ¼ sheet of paper, Go to your group and compose or write a exchange your ¼ to your question related to the groupmates. Discuss the recent topic that has been questions that are written discuss. in the paper and try to come up with the answer. Prepare to share it in the class.