In California, drowning is a leading cause of injury-related deaths among children under the age of five. For many children who live on the Monterey Bay, swim time may be limited. As a result, parents may not spend enough time thinking about water safety and teaching their children those rules.
Whether your family’s water time will be at a pool or on the beach this summer, take some time to consider the following suggestions:
1. Always have adult supervision. And I don’t mean sitting by the pool with a book or your phone (although you should keep your phone handy in case of an emergency). Drownings are silent. You won’t hear a scream or a splash. A child can lose consciousness after being submerged for two minutes. After 4-6 minutes, permanent brain damage can occur. While having a lifeguard and other swimmers and parents present may make you feel safer, the reality is that lifeguards can be distracted, and other parents are watching their children, not yours.
2. Swimming lessons. Children can learn to float as young as six months old, and kids at any age need to know how to keep themselves safe in the water. Call a variety of instructors and swim schools so that you know what is available. (See pages 22-23 for suggestions).
To access our Swim Directory with options for swim lessons and places to swim, click here.
3. Physical barriers. A must for any pool is a fence at least four feet high, with a self-latching and self-locking gate. Pool fences save lives. Period. But they are not fool-proof. Even self-latching gates don’t always close completely. Older siblings and even adults can forget to latch the pool fence, so check the fence and the gate regularly. Be particularly cautious when visiting friends or relatives with a pool.
4. Learn CPR and first aid. Be prepared in case of an accident.
5. Throw out the water wings. Water wings are toys – dangerous toys. If you are using a flotation device, make sure it is U.S. Coast Guard approved. However, never depend on flotation devices to take the place of adult supervision. Young children can, and do, take off life jackets.
6. Talk to your kids. Start early. Go over the safety rules every time your kids are in or near the water. Your words will sink in and can prevent accidents.
7. Know where you’re swimming. There are beaches in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties that are dangerous for wading and swimming. If the signs tell you to stay out of the water, abide by the rules and keep your children a safe distance away from the shoreline. Better yet, stick to beaches that are safer and have lifeguards.
Leigh Ann Newman is a certified survival swimming instructor and owner of a swim school in Florida.