Playing and swimming in water can be exciting for both kids and parents, especially during summer. Most people like spending the hot and humid days in cool swimming pools, lakes, or beaches. However, even if you’re the best swimmer or beginner, you need to be aware of swimming safety rules before dipping your feet into the water.
Though they may seem prohibitive, these rules are formulated to keep you safe and healthy. That’s why swim school in the Northern Beaches takes time to educate children on the importance of these rules. As a parent, it’s also important to reinforce the rules to your child if you don’t want to lose him as a result of drowning. This article explains some of them.
- Set Aside Enough Time For Recreation
When you visit a pool or a beach, you need not be in a hurry. Hurrying may stress you or your children and may result in accidents. Instead, you need to set aside a lot of time to visit the beach or pool. If you’re working, you may need to take a leave or have somebody stand in for you as you take your family to the beach or lake. It’s also wise not to have serious commitments before or after the visit. Planning well for your trip to the beach or pool can significantly help you minimize rushing.
- Don’t Dive Into A Pool You Haven’t Explored
The sight of a cool blue pool may be tempting even if it’s new. However, you need to explore the pool first before jumping into it. That is because pool depths vary depending on design and purpose. A pool meant for adults is definitely deeper than a children’s pool. Adult pools may also have two ends: the deep end and shallow end.
Therefore, instead of diving into the pool with your head first, you need to get and wade into it to explore its depth. Jumping into unfamiliar pools has in the past led to several injuries and deaths. Experts have found out that entry diving is the most dangerous and can lead to serious neck injuries. Getting into the water with your feet first can help you examine its depth and know what lies beneath the water surface.
- Monitor Weather Patterns
The weather greatly affects the surface of the water. If you’re swimming in an ocean, river, or lake, you need to be extra careful in case there are strong winds. These winds may make the surface of the water choppy, thus causing swimming difficulties. Even the most skilled swimmers may find it difficult to swim against a riptide or low breaking waves. To avoid all these hurdles, it’s crucial to study the weather and make informed decisions.
- Apply Sunscreen Before Getting Into Water
Applying sunscreen on your skin and your children’s before getting into the water can give you more time for enjoyment. Doing this will save you from chasing the kids around for an application when they start playing. It also helps you to keep the rule of slathering sunscreen fifteen minutes before being exposed to the sun.
- Learn Water Safety Skills
Emergencies and accidents may occur anytime without an announcement. Therefore, to minimize the risk of further injury or death, you need to know how to perform first aid, CPR, and AED. Safety lessons about these techniques are usually offered at local pools. Alternatively, researching the internet for this information may also help. CPR and first aid techniques may save your life and that of your child in case of an accident.
- Read Pool Rules
Every swimming pool has rules to ensure the safety of its users. When you go swimming with your family, ensure you take some time to read the posted rules. Explain to your child how breaking those rules can make them be barred from swimming. Additionally, you need to show your children the lifeguards on duty and tell them to listen to what they say.
Conclusion
Swimming rules are created to prevent you and your family from getting hurt. Therefore, if you find some of them too restricting or demanding, know they’re for your safety. It’s vital to explain those rules to your children every time you visit a pool or the beach to make them responsible.