Most aquatics-related accidents can be prevented.
Some Points of Safety Afloat and Safe Swim Defense
- Qualified Supervision
- All aquatics activities should have supervision by an adult, 21 or older, who is responsible and trained in Safe Swim, Safety Afloat, First Aid and CPR
- Personal Health Review
- Health history. Are there any restrictions on the part of the participant?
- Physical Fitness and Swimming Ability
- How proficient of a swimmer is the participant?… be truthful and honest
- Personal Flotation Equipment (PFE)
- Properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) must be worn by all persons everyone engaged in boating activities and other aquatics-related activities
- Activities on the open water (rowing, canoeing, sailing, boardsailing, motorboating, waterskiing, rafting, tubing, and kayaking.
- Type II and III PFDs are recommended
- Buddy System
- Make sure everyone (adults and youth) is accounted for, especially when in the water
- Participate in activities with two or more in number (adults and youth) and with proper adult supervision
- Physical Fitness
- Assess abilities truthfully
- Ability groups: Non-swimmers, beginners, proficient swimmers
- Skill Proficiency
- Everyone in an activity afloat must have sufficient knowledge and skill to participate safely
- Safe Swim Area
- Check all waterfront areas for rocks, stumps, branches deep holes, and currents. Avoid these areas
- Water clarity
- Rip Currents
- Be aware of rip currents and how to calmly and safely get out of them
- Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can move at speeds of up to eight feet per second, faster than Olympic swimmers
- Panicked swimmers often try to counter a rip current by swimming straight back to shore, putting themselves at risk of drowning because of fatigue
- If caught in a rip current, don’t fight it! Swim parallel to the shore and swim back to land at an angle
- Planning
- Plan
- Local Rules
- Communication
- Check for weather and contingencies as needed prior to your activity
- Equipment
- All craft must be suitable for the activity
- Discipline
- Remember that rules are only effective when they are followed
- Lifeguard(s) on duty
- Lookout
- Station a lookout where he/she can see and hear everything in all areas
Last updated on June 30, 2023
