Water Safety PSA

Well, it's the beginning of summer, and as a lifeguard and swimming instructor, I get a little nervous as people open their pools, go to the beaches, and start going swimming a lot more frequently.  Parents often don`t realize how dangerous water can be, and do not recognize the signs of drowning.

There are so many preventable deaths each year in Canada from drowning, and I think that swimming is a life skill that is unfortunately, not recognized as such.  I believe that swimming should be taught as a component of our public education system (I was taught how to skate, but not how to swim, and I fail to see how ice skating is going to ever save my life!).

Here is my spiel:
1.  ALWAYS be within arms reach of your child.  At the local pool I work for, we set a parent to child ratio of 2 kids under 10 who can`t swim per adult, and I think it is a good rule to follow - you don`t have more than two arms, and if you are not a trained lifeguard or an extremely strong swimmer, it is just not a good idea to go swimming with more than 2 weak swimmers.
2.  Go swimming with a buddy!
3.  Wear proper flotation devices - a life jacket or life preserver are wonderful choices, and pool noodles and inner tubes can be useful as well - if the swimmer understands that they need to hold on to them!  I do not recommend arm floaties, as they can pop off kids' arms quite easily, and are can get caught on ladders and other such things.  Also, another note is that putting your kid in a flotation device does not give you free rein to let them swim out of reach - please stay close to them - some kids are top-heavy and flip upside down in life jackets, or slip out the bottom if the crotch-strap is not done up.
4.  Test your kids' swimming skills!  The policy at my local pool is that to be allowed to swim alone when under 10, or to be permitted in the deep end, you need to be able to swim 25m on your front (front crawl or breast stroke), and tread water for 1 full minute without taking any breaks.  This test makes sure that you can reach the edge of the pool and gives us an idea of your stamina if you become tired out and are in the deep end.
5.  Don't get scared off by this!  Enjoy the water - and if you or your kids need to learn some more swimming skills, sign up for some lessons at the pool - there are lessons offered for all ages and skill levels, and it is such a worthwhile skill to have!

Take a read here for an experienced perspective on the signs of drowning, and educate yourself before you head out to enjoy the summer weather: http://www.watersafetymagazine.com/safety-tips/drowning-doesn-t-look-like-drowning

Thank you for taking the time to read my public service announcement!  I hope you have a wonderful time in the water this summer, and that these guidelines help set some safe boundaries around water.