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Summer is in full swing, which means it's time to don that new bather and hit the water!
Whether you enjoy the wildness of waves or prefer the convenience of the pool in your neighbour's backyard, there's no question about the fact that having a swim is by far the funnest way to cool down.
However, if statistics are anything to go by, it's also one of the most dangerous.
In a recent release by the Ekuruhleni Metropolitan Municipality's Disaster and Emergency Services (DEMS), drowning is the second highest cause of accidental deaths among people between the age of 5 and 24 years.
According to Netcare 911 small children are particularly at risk, as they can drown in as little as a few hundred millimetres of water.
Now, the last thing we want to do is freak you out before the festive season! So, here are a few swimming safety tips to keep in mind while having a blast!
Swimming pool and home safety
- Firstly, be aware of where your kids are at all times! Even if your pool is maximally secured, water hazards in and around the home can include fishponds, water features, toilets, pets' water bowls, bore holes and open drains. Make sure your kids know not to play in the vicinity of these alone at any time.
- Keep your swimming pool covered with a safety net when it's not in use
- Invest in swimming lessons, not just for the kids but for everyone in the family who might not have been taught to swim before.
- Keep your pool clear at all times, so you can easily see what's happening below the surface
- Having a number of floatation devices drifting around the pool - boogie boards, pool noodles, balls - is a great idea, so anyone who suddenly feels panicky has something to grab onto.
- Don't allow kids to push each other or play running games along the side of the pool where they can easily slip and fall.
- Never, but NEVER, swim under the influence of alcohol!
- Never swim alone, or at least have someone sitting next to the pool while you splash away.
Beach safety tips from the NSRI's WaterWise program
- Stick to swimming between the lifeguards' flags. And if they blow their whistles, wave or try to attract your attention, just listen to them for crying out loud!
- Never take your eyes off your children if they are playing in the water.
- Don't dive head-first, especially in the shallows. While you may think it's safe, you never know if there may be a sneaky sandbank lurking around.
- Watch out for currents. If you stick to the lifeguard zone, you should be pretty safe, but still keep your eyes peeled for choppy water, a clear pull away from the beach, or a distinct difference in the water's colour. All of these could be signs of rip currents. Also, if you do suddenly feel a strong pull while wading out, rather change course and do not go deep enough to be swept off your feet.
- If you do get swept out, resist the urge to panic. Stay as calm as you can, keep your head above water, breathe and signal for help by raising your arm. The current will slow down as it gets further out. Simply swim parallel to the beach and then use the waves on either side of the rip to help you get back in to the beach. If you get tired, try floating on your back.
- Keep an eye out for critters. Avoid swimming if you see an abundance of washed-up bluebottles on the beach. Their stings are seriously painful and you're probably going to have to get someone to pee on your burns to relieve the burn. Gross! If you do get stung, be sure to remove what remains of the stinger with soft fabric, a tweezer or a gloved hand and wash down with cool, clean water.
- Never turn your back on the sea, especially when exploring rock pools.
- Never swim alone
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol
Do you have any swimming safety tips to add? Tell us in the comment section below or pop us a mail to info@traveller24.co.za
Make sure that you have the ambulance telephone number 10177 and your local Sea Rescue number (see www.searescue.org.za) close at hand. The cell phone emergency number 112 is also a good number to use.
Gifs from Giphy
Whether you enjoy the wildness of waves or prefer the convenience of the pool in your neighbour's backyard, there's no question about the fact that having a swim is by far the funnest way to cool down.
However, if statistics are anything to go by, it's also one of the most dangerous.
In a recent release by the Ekuruhleni Metropolitan Municipality's Disaster and Emergency Services (DEMS), drowning is the second highest cause of accidental deaths among people between the age of 5 and 24 years.
According to Netcare 911 small children are particularly at risk, as they can drown in as little as a few hundred millimetres of water.
Now, the last thing we want to do is freak you out before the festive season! So, here are a few swimming safety tips to keep in mind while having a blast!
Swimming pool and home safety
- Firstly, be aware of where your kids are at all times! Even if your pool is maximally secured, water hazards in and around the home can include fishponds, water features, toilets, pets' water bowls, bore holes and open drains. Make sure your kids know not to play in the vicinity of these alone at any time.
- Keep your swimming pool covered with a safety net when it's not in use
- Invest in swimming lessons, not just for the kids but for everyone in the family who might not have been taught to swim before.
- Keep your pool clear at all times, so you can easily see what's happening below the surface
- Having a number of floatation devices drifting around the pool - boogie boards, pool noodles, balls - is a great idea, so anyone who suddenly feels panicky has something to grab onto.
- Don't allow kids to push each other or play running games along the side of the pool where they can easily slip and fall.
- Never, but NEVER, swim under the influence of alcohol!
- Never swim alone, or at least have someone sitting next to the pool while you splash away.
Beach safety tips from the NSRI's WaterWise program
- Stick to swimming between the lifeguards' flags. And if they blow their whistles, wave or try to attract your attention, just listen to them for crying out loud!
- Never take your eyes off your children if they are playing in the water.
- Don't dive head-first, especially in the shallows. While you may think it's safe, you never know if there may be a sneaky sandbank lurking around.
- Watch out for currents. If you stick to the lifeguard zone, you should be pretty safe, but still keep your eyes peeled for choppy water, a clear pull away from the beach, or a distinct difference in the water's colour. All of these could be signs of rip currents. Also, if you do suddenly feel a strong pull while wading out, rather change course and do not go deep enough to be swept off your feet.
- If you do get swept out, resist the urge to panic. Stay as calm as you can, keep your head above water, breathe and signal for help by raising your arm. The current will slow down as it gets further out. Simply swim parallel to the beach and then use the waves on either side of the rip to help you get back in to the beach. If you get tired, try floating on your back.
- Keep an eye out for critters. Avoid swimming if you see an abundance of washed-up bluebottles on the beach. Their stings are seriously painful and you're probably going to have to get someone to pee on your burns to relieve the burn. Gross! If you do get stung, be sure to remove what remains of the stinger with soft fabric, a tweezer or a gloved hand and wash down with cool, clean water.
- Never turn your back on the sea, especially when exploring rock pools.
- Never swim alone
- Never swim under the influence of alcohol
Do you have any swimming safety tips to add? Tell us in the comment section below or pop us a mail to info@traveller24.co.za
Make sure that you have the ambulance telephone number 10177 and your local Sea Rescue number (see www.searescue.org.za) close at hand. The cell phone emergency number 112 is also a good number to use.
Gifs from Giphy
