Water Safety Part 1: Avoiding Injuries
Water safety has to be the #1 priority of all parents this summer. Did you know that drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death in children, especially those younger than 4 and teens? And that 23% of these deaths occur at a family gathering near a pool?
Drowning Happens Quickly
It takes 10-20 seconds for a child to drown, so the first step is to ensure that your child is under constant supervision. Even if you’re at a patrolled beach, or public pool where there are onsite life guards it’s important to always have a direct line of sight with your own child. It also helps to let your children know that they need to remind you if they see you’re not looking!
Even though Explorer Camps employ a certified lifeguard to supervise all of our water activities, we still have a minimum of one additional ‘spotter’ who supports the lifeguard in constantly scanning all the water activities. This extra help ensures that constant supervision takes place, which is exactly what a parent should be doing too.
Actively Supervise
Remember though, an important part of having active supervision is changing the guard every 20 to 30 minutes to avoid monotony and boredom. Make sure you share the duties with another parent or partner so that you can stay focused, because 9/10 of drowning deaths occur when a caretaker is present.
Distractions are extremely dangerous. Put away your phone, and avoid conversations that take your attention away from your child as he/she needs constant care and supervision. “If you hear a text message come in and turn to your phone for five seconds, that’s long enough for a child to be submerged,” says Anne Beasley, M.D., a paediatric hospitalist at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. At summer camp, our lifeguards and spotters aren’t allowed to be on their phones, nor are other staff members permitted to distract them with small talk or conversations. The healthy and safety of your child always comes first.
Pair Up
A tactic commonly used at great summer camps is to pair children with other campers with similar swimming abilities and appoint them as swimming buddies. It’s their role to be within a few metres of each other at all times, and to always be aware of what the other one is doing. If their buddy is having difficulty, or they can’t see him or her they need to inform a lifeguard, spotter, or counsellor immediately.
Often children dismiss this as an unneeded overreaction by staff, however it’s an extremely powerful tool parents can also use to encourage their children to be more active in water safety. Make sure you as the parent set the example. Swimming alone is always a danger. Whether it be going for a morning swim on the beach, or having fun at a water park; let your children know that you as a parent always look to swim with someone else.
To be clear, this buddy system at summer camp isn’t set to replace active supervision by staff, or parents. Instead, it’s a tool which builds more awareness amongst children and encourages them to take action if they ever see anything. Regular buddy checks, every 5-10 mins at camp, builds awareness and personal accountability amongst the campers.
Know Their Swimming Level
In the modern age most children learn how to swim at a young age, however it’s important to be honest with their skills. On camp they’re tested on the opening day so staff know camper limitations and potential issues. A part of this testing is education about different aspects of water safety, including pool depth and what a camper should do if they’re starting to struggle in the water.
Having children understand their own limitations is crucial, especially the depth of the water connected to their own height. When entering a pool complex, remind your child of their own height and encourage them to actively search for the height at different levels of the pool. This will help them understand where they can still stand so they will know at which area is a no-go for them.
Another teaching point camp uses is to educate children on what to do if they get tired, or feel that they’re struggling. The easiest approach is to simply lay on your back in the water to gain a valuable breath. At this time the child should call for help so that the onsite lifeguard or spotter can quickly come to assist.
Ultimately, learning to swim reduces the risks of your child drowning by up to 88%. Take the time to have them taught by professionals, and always be an active supervisor. The health and safety of your child depends on it.
