Month: November 2022

Best Water-Safety Practices: A Comprehensive Guide To Drowning Prevention

Whenever we think of summer, we are always eager to take refreshing dips at the beach or in the swimming pools around us. It’s always exciting to plan beach trips with friends and family and beat the scorching heat. But amidst all the fun, there is one thing about which we should always be careful and alert: drowning.

Drowning: A major concern

According to the report by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings, that is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day and around 8000 nonfatal drownings, that is an average of 22 nonfatal drownings per day, occur every year in the United States.

This crucial data is surely calling for some attention. So let’s look at some best ways to prevent and control drowning accidents.

Pool Lifeguard Training Course Perth
  • Know the basics – The most common and important way is to learn the basics of swimming. Even beginner-level swimming training can be beneficial against drowning. Hence it’s important to ensure that you take basic lessons before hitting the beach. 
  • Life jacket – Life jackets are a must even for someone who’s an excellent swimmer and especially for children. The jackets are a great tool to prevent and reduce the chance of drowning accidents to a large extent.
  • Learn CPR – Knowing how to give CPR can save lives while the paramedic’s team takes charge. You can learn online or in-person CPR lessons conducted by various organisations. Also, we at the West Coast Water Safety provide a variety of basic water rescue courses to train our participants to respond to any situation and avoid accidents quickly.
  • Avoid Toys – It’s always wise to avoid having air-filled or foamed toys in the pool. According to the Florida Department of Health report, the state leads the US in annual fatal child drownings for children younger than five years. The majority of accidents are due to the toys used.
  • Supervision – The saddening data revealed by the reports indicates a lack of supervision of children and new swimmers. It’s our responsibility to be alert and attentive with children around swimming pools, ponds or lakes.

Bottom line

Keeping these things in mind, West Coast Water Safety is dedicated to ensuring your safety with its highly trained and professional staff of lifeguards, paramedics, beach inspectors and many more.

Water Safety Tips for a Lake or Ocean

On a hot summer day, nothing beats your absolute favourite swimming hole. However, before you jump in, be conscious that water safety dangers could place you and your family in danger of an accident, illness, or injury.

Swimming is a wonderful sport for fitness and a fun activity to do with friends and family. Swimming recklessly, on the other hand, is a known cause of death among young people. A few simple tips and safety rules will keep you safe from swimming injuries and other mishaps that could lead to death.

Some of the general safety rules 

Swim only in specified places

Most state parks, beaches, and lakefront regions have designated swimming times and use flags to indicate where people can swim. Never swim outside of the designated areas. Swim under the guidance of a trained lifeguard, if possible.

When in doubt, leave

Don’t be afraid to get out of the water if something feels wrong. If the current becomes too strong, rain begins to fall, or your body is simply not responding as it should due to fatigue or muscle cramps, leave and come back to the water another day. Following your instincts is always a smart option.

Understand the circumstances

Before you go swimming, examine the water’s temperature and weather conditions. If the water temperature is cold, you should swim with a wetsuit and limit your time in the water. Swimming in the rain is unsafe, especially if there is thunder and lightning. If the weather changes, don’t be afraid to swim back to the beach.

Prepare an emergency plan

When you go out to the water, whether with a swim mate or alone, always have a plan to deal with and face emergencies. Inform someone else of your plans. It is wise to have someone observing from the shore, prepared to act if you require assistance. Prepare for any eventuality and remove as much unpredictability as possible.

Swim side by side to the beach

Don’t let panic cloud your judgement if caught in a rip current. You might be swept away from the shore in an instant. Because most rip currents are 100 feet wide, swimming parallel to the shore rather than towards it is the best way to avoid them. Try to relax and breathe while retaining your head above water, and don’t exhaust yourself by swimming against the current to get out of the rip. 

Bottom line

Summer is the season for proper swimming preventive measures and extra steps to safeguard your skin from the sun. Check out the Water Coast Water Safety for more tips and training courses on staying safe in or around water this summer.

They are competent in responding to rescue situations and are proactively vigilant to prevent water incidents. The team’s expertise in beach management stems from their years of professional lifeguarding at various beaches across the world.