Swimming can be a fun and relaxing activity. It’s a fun way to cool off in the summer heat and can even be used for rehabilitation after an injury. However, drowning is the fifth most common unintentional injury. It’s also one of the most serious injuries, as more than 50% of people treated in emergency departments need either hospitalization or transfer to another care center for more treatment. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe anytime you decide to go swimming.
Swimming skills can be a big help at the beach and in pools. Try signing yourself and your kids up for swimming classes. Children ages one to four have a reduced chance of drowning if they’ve taken part in swimming lessons from an instructor. Even some adults haven’t learned a lot of basic swimming skills, so lessons can benefit them too.
When it comes to safety, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) goes hand-in-hand with swimming. Taking CPR classes ensures that anyone in an emergency situation can get the help they need immediately, and that they have a much higher survival rate with better outcomes after treatment.
If you’re boating, always make sure to have life jackets not just on hand, but readily accessible in the event of an emergency. Life jackets are made to prevent drowning and can help people stay afloat long enough to be rescued. Studies have shown life jackets could prevent half of all boating deaths.
Children may not fully appreciate the dangers of swimming, and can get overly excited as well as easily panic-stricken. Make sure to supervise those in your care while swimming. If the child is very young, be within reach of him/her at all times. Since drowning can happen quietly, the designated adult supervisor shouldn’t be distracted by reading or anything that will take his/her eyes off the children.
Don’t drink alcohol when swimming or supervising children. Alcohol can dull your senses, make it harder to swim, and distract you from your surroundings.
Hopefully these tips will keep you and your family safe while swimming this summer. If you or a family member has been in an accident where you or they were severely injured or even killed, contact Alexander Law firm LLC. Our experienced legal team is sure to get you the maximum settlement possible.
