Swim Safely This Summer

Whether swimming in your backyard, the neighborhood pool, heading to the beach or enjoying the Chesapeake Bay and her tributaries, every parent wants their kids to be safe in the water this summer. Sadly, the fun can be cut short in a matter of moments. According to the CDC, drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children ages one to four.

Michele Seymour is a member of Parents Preventing Childhood Drowning (PPCD) and owner of Swim 2 Survive Aquatics Academy. Layered defense plays a key role in keeping our children safe,” says Seymour. This includes not only supervision and swim lessons, but also being aware of unrecognized dangers. These include things like standing water, as a child can drown in as little as two inches.

Doggy doors, which can provide children with unintended, easy access to potential dangers outside. Often parents unintentionally put their kids in danger by relying on floaties and puddle jumpers. These can give kids a false sense of security, while teaching children the wrong way to position themselves in the water to get air. Lastly, water toys should be put away and out of sight when not in use. If a child wanders off unattended, these toys could attract them to the potential water dangers.

Safe Kids reports that 70 percent of preschoolers who drown are in the care of one or both parents at the time of drowning and 80 percent of kids who drown in open water are not wearing a life jacket.

Seymore says parents should never allow children to swim alone, and should keep them under constant supervision. Swim in areas with posted lifeguards, and wear a Coast Guard approved PDF (personal floatation device) when around the ocean, rivers and lakes. In addition she recommends following the Parents Preventing Childhood Drowning 7 Layers of Defense:

1. Constant supervision—It’s not a lack of supervision, but a lapse of supervision that can put children at risk.

2. Water watching badge—Take 15 minute shifts and always designate someone to be the water watcher.

3. Pool fences—Install 4- to 6-foot pool fences with self-latching & self-closing gates.

4. Alarms—Install high locks and alarms on ALL doors and windows that lead to the pool. Surface- and personal-immersion alarms are also available.

5. Learn CPR—Find a local class online through the Red Cross or American Heart Association.

6. Remove dog doors

7. Swimming skills—Select an effective swimming program that will teach your child to roll onto his or her back and float face up. Floating is a crucial lifesaving technique.

Be cautious of programs that only promote water acclimation. These may create a dangerous situation for your child. Check your instructor’s credentials.

If you are looking to sign your child up for swim lessons, Seymore says not all swim lessons are the same and to do your research. The Survival Swim Network came up with a list of questions to ask when signing your children up for swim lessons which can be found at survivalswimnetwork.net.

—Joyce Heid