Water Safety Tips


By Johnny Johnson

Summer is fast approaching and with it will come the enjoyment of many aquatic activities. Swimming, surfing, water skiing, boating, and scuba diving are just a few. However, the ability to enjoy water activities must include the responsibility to understand the risk that is associated with the water and the safety rules that should be followed.

Here are some tips that will help make your summer in the water safer and more enjoyable.

 

  1. Sun protection. Be sure to apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 as a minimum at least 30 minutes prior to exposure and reapply frequently if you are sweating or swimming.
  2. Constant adult supervision. Always have an adult who can swim as a supervisor. In a large group one person should be assigned as the water watcher.
  3. Obey posted rules and use common sense whether at a pool, lake or ocean.Swim in areas according to ability. Only strong swimmers should be in the ocean.
  4. Never swim alone. Always swim with a buddy and near a lifeguard whenever possible.
  5. Never dive into shallow water and only dive into deep water when the visibility is clear and no one is in the way.
  6. Always have a phone nearby in case a 911 call is necessary.
  7. Never consider flotation devices a substitute for supervision.
  8. Learn to swim well.
  9. Learn CPR and rescue breathing.

Links for more information:

Open Water Safety:
www.csla.org
www.hoaghospital.org/projectwipeout.html

Drowning Prevention:
www.safer3.org
www.ocfa.org
www.drowningprevention.info

Swimming Instruction:
www.bluebuoy.com
www.usswimschools.org

Johnny has been a student, teacher and now owner of Blue Buoy Swim School over a span of nearly 50 years. Always concerned about promoting the role of swimming instruction and drowning prevention Johnny and his wife, Cindy have taken an increasingly active role in that effort. Cindy is the secretary of the Orange County Drowning Prevention Network and Johnny is on the Board of Directors of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance. Two of Johnny’s proudest accomplishments are the creation of the Safer 3 Program and the establishment of the Swim For Life Foundation of which he is currently president.

At the US Swim School Association annual conference held in Washington D.C. Oct. 2004, Johnny was elected to the association’s Hall of Fame in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the swim school profession and the learn-to-swim industry.