AMERICAN RED CROSS WATER SAFETY TIPS TO LIVE BY

  1. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone.
  2. Know your swimming limits and stay within them. Don't try to keep up with a stronger skilled swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you.
  3. Keep an eye on weaker swimmers - if they appear tired, encourage them to rest on land.
  4. Alcohol and swimming don't mix. Alcohol impairs your judgement, balance, and coordination. It affects your swimming and diving skills and reduces your body's ability to stay warm.
  5. Obey "No Diving" signs which indicate the area is unsafe for headfirst entries. Enter feet first into water rather than headfirst if you don't know the depth. In addition, learn the correct way to dive from a qualified instructor.
  6. Watch out for the "dangerous too's" -- too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
  7. Swim in supervised areas only.
  8. Do not chew gum or eat while you swim; you could easily choke.
  9. Use common sense about swimming after eating. In general, you do not have to wait an hour after eating before you may safely swim. However, if you have had a large meal, it is wise to let digestion get started before doing strenuous activity such as swimming.
  10. Always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating and fishing.
  11. Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming or boating as soon as you see or hear a storm.
  12. Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies. Remember CHECK-CALL-CARE: CHECK the scene to ensure it's safe and CHECK the victim, CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency number, and CARE for the person until help arrives.

In the event of a drowning:
  1. Remove the victim from the water, have someone call 911 or your local emergency number.
  2. Check consciousness and breathing.
  3. If not breathing, open the airway and attempt rescue breathing.
  4. If breaths do not go in, re-tilt the head and attempt rescue breathing again.
  5. If air still does not go in, give abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) for children and adults to clear the airway.
  6. Once the airway is clear, provide rescue breathing or CPR as needed.

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