Swimming Safety Facts

Swimming is excellent exercise, working muscles you didn't even knew existed. And what could be more refreshing than jumping into an ice cold swimming hole on a hot summer's day? Swimming can be a fun activity, but it is important to understand swimming safety.

Swimming Lessons

• The safest swimming of all is informed swimming. If you have little experience in the water, or have never taken any swimming lessons, it might be time to do so. Organizations like the Red Cross and YMCA offer swimming lessons for people of all ages, infants and up.

At the Pool

• When swimming at the pool, always pay attention to the lifeguard. Never run in the pool area. The floor is extremely slippery and hard. A fall on a wet concrete floor could result in some serious injuries. Pay attention to the numbers painted on the side of the pool, indicating the depth of the water. Never dive in any area but the deep end. You could injure your head and neck. Playing in the water is fun, but never push or pull anyone under the surface, or cling to anyone by the neck. This is extremely dangerous behavior, and could easily result in drowning.

At the Lake

• Life jackets are required

  Swimming pools are nice, but lakes come with the sights and sounds of nature. They also come with a different set of hazards. It is much more difficult to tell the depth of water in a lake. The bottom is not painted in a light reflective color as a swimming pool is. If you plan to dive, you should first figure out if the water is deep enough and clear of any large rocks or other obstructions. It is smart to wear some kind of water shoe when swimming in a lake. Broken glass is a common feature of many shorelines, as are sharp rocks and fishing hooks. When boating, it is required by law that children wear life jackets. Adults should also wear them.

At the Beach

• If you are swimming at an ocean beach, it is crucial that you are aware of the currents and general conditions of the water. Use common sense, and observe what other swimmers are doing. Public beaches often have buoy lines marking the distance past which you should not swim. They also mark dangerous areas. If there are no markers, don't swim too far. Keep in mind that however far out you swim, you have to swim all the way back too.

  Be wary of undertows and riptides, both of which are strong seaward currents. If you feel the water carrying you back to sea, don't struggle in the water. You will quickly grow tired. Instead, swim parallel to the beach until you are out of the current. Then return to shore. Don't overexert yourself.

Flotation Devices

• There are many flotation devices available for children and adults. They range from strictly practical--life jackets--to strictly fun, like noodles, inner tubes and floating mats. Noodles and inner tubes are no substitute for a life jacket, and should not be used as such.