Swimming Safety

Common Injuries

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death in children ages 5-18.  Diving injuries can cause scrapes, cuts, bruises and broken bones.  In severe cases, diving can cause spinal cord damage, paralysis and death.  Paralysis from diving most often results in paralysis in both arms and legs.

What can you do to make swimming safer?

General

  • Drink lots of fluids!  It is easy to get dehydrated. You may not feel thirsty while you are in the water!
  • Do not leave children near the water without an adult watching
  • Inexperienced swimmers should limit their depth to where they can “touch”

 Pool

  • Swim with a friend- do not let anyone swim alone
  • Do not dive in shallow water – the safest way to enter the water is feet first
  • Secure pools with appropriate barriers

Lonely Places

  • Do not dive into shallow water or where underwater obstacles are unknown. The safest way to enter the water is always feet first.
  • Do not dive or swim in lonely place or water  as depth is unknown;eg stone quarry.

Q:  How can I make swimming as safe as possible for my children?

Children of all ages can benefit from swimming lessons where they will become familiar with the rules of the water and techniques to keep themselves safe

  • Children need one on one supervision with a life vest on when they are near or in the water
  • Children should not run near the pool
  • Private pools should have a barrier surrounding the pool
  • The safest way to enter a pool is by the stairs or feet first
  • Inexperienced swimmers should always swim where they can “touch”
  • Do not dive in the shallow end of the pool where depth is unknown
  • Swim with a friend
  • Consider taking a CPR class