We're back with another issue of Positive Pulse, the blog for everything to do with healthy living.
We’re well into the hot summer weather now, so this month's theme is ocean safety! The summer months are an exciting time of the year with many activities and events you can't enjoy during any other season. But it is still important to stay safe in the sun and summer fun! Swimming at the beach is an iconic part of summer, but make sure to practice swim safety.
Hazards and Weather
Being water competent in the ocean requires stronger and different skills than in a pool. Whenever you are at the beach, ocean or other open water environment, watch and prepare for:
- Changing tides and fast-moving currents and waves, even in shallow water.
- Drop-offs that unexpectedly change water depth.
- Unexpected changes in air or water temperature.
- Hazards, such as underwater obstacles, rocks and debris.
- Vegetation, marine animals and fish.
- Other people’s activities in the same waters, such as boating.
Establish Rules and Safe Behaviors
- Enter the water feet first for your safety!
- Always enter unknown or shallow water cautiously.
- Only dive in water clearly marked as safe for diving, at least 9 feet deep with no underwater obstacles.
- Never dive head first into surf!
- Do not enter the water from a height, such as a bridge or boat.
- Be careful when standing to prevent being knocked over by currents or waves.
- Always swim sober.
- Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or talking on or using a cell phone.
- Swim with a buddy even in lifeguarded areas.
Additional Water Safety Steps
- To keep small children safe: employ barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision to prevent drowning.
- Ensure everyone who wants to go in the water learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: Able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance, and get out of the water safely.
- Know what to do in a water emergency and how to call for emergency help and CPR.
Rip Current Safety
Check out this video for tips on how to spot and avoid getting stuck in ocean rip currents, which can be deadly.
