We have largely concentrated on what adults can do to assist in preventing children from being victims of a drowning disaster so far in our series on how to keep kids safe around the pool (see Parts 1, 2 & 3). There are a number of significant ways you may assist kids in reducing their personal danger of drowning in addition to teaching them to swim. Some of the guidelines that every youngster should learn before going into the pool are listed below.
Only Enter the Pool Area if a Responsible Adult Gives You Permission
Often, when a terrible drowning occurs, nobody was supposed to be in the pool at that moment. On a hot afternoon, kids will occasionally decide on their own that they want to take a plunge in the pool. Tell them that this is absolutely prohibited and very risky. Additionally, make sure they are aware of who may and may not give them permission to access the pool. It’s not uncommon for a younger sibling to be persuaded to enter the pool alone by an older friend, sibling, or other relative who isn’t a responsible adult.
When describing the pool’s rules, be sure everyone is aware that only parents or other responsible adults may give permission for a child to swim, and that an adult must remain in the pool area at all times.
Swim with Your Buddy at All Times
In addition to appointing an adult watcher, using a buddy system for your pool creates a second line of defense against drowning. Children with strong swimming abilities can play in the water with a friend. Verify that the two children that are partnered as swimming partners are both proficient swimmers. A child cannot be in charge of a child who cannot swim well, not even if the child is a skilled swimmer. Children that struggle in the water should be accompanied only by an adult.
Even adults who join the pool and are strong swimmers shouldn’t swim alone. This is due to the fact that no one would be present to call EMS in the event of an unanticipated emergency, such as someone passing out or having a heart attack and falling into the water. There is safety in numbers when it comes to swimming in the pool.
Don’t Run When Beside the Pool
When they’re playing with their buddies in the pool area, kids frequently become delighted. They frequently become so engrossed in their games and antics that they begin to race on the patio or pool deck. Because of the water commonly making the area surrounding a pool slick, a child could easily unintentionally fall into the water and drown, or just fall down and get harmed on a hard surface. Make sure kids understand that when they’re near the swimming pool, they should always walk rather than run.
Only Dive from the Deep End
Someone diving into shallow water runs the risk of hitting their head on the pool’s bottom or side walls. This can result in paralysis, a broken neck, unconsciousness, and/or drowning. The American Red Cross states that diving is not safe in any water that is less than nine feet deep. Let kids know exactly which parts of the pool, if any, are suitable for diving. Make it clear to them that they cannot enter the water by diving elsewhere.
In the final post of this series, we’ll look at some additional guidelines to impart to kids to keep them safe around swimming pools.
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