Moms Vibe:
By Krystle J. Bailey
While we enjoy Summer 2022 and all the fun in the sun, it is a great opportunity to brush up on water safety precautions. According to the CDC, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury and death among children ages 1-14. While we always do our best to keep our babies safe, sometimes a little reminder is what we need to take extra precautions as we enjoy the summer heat.
A few reminders:
Use a buddy system
Whether you’re going to the pool, lake, or ocean, implementing the buddy system is a perfect way to keep an extra set of eyes on the little ones. Go over with the kids what to do if their buddy needs help. Remind them not to try to save someone themselves but to call for help instead. Find a lifeguard or call for an adult. If one is unavailable, look for any device that could rescue the person in trouble and “throw, don’t go.”
Designate a water watcher
When visiting any body of water with a group of adults, take turns assigning a water watcher. For 30-60 minutes at a time, the water watcher has one responsibility – to keep an eye on the kids without distraction. A water watcher should not have their phones or other devices that may distract them from the task at hand. Even headphones make it harder to hear someone yelling for help. It’s important to remember that drowning doesn’t always look like they portray it on television. It is often silent and fast.
Brush up on water survival skills
Even if you know your child can swim, brushing up on survival skills is never a bad idea. Make sure they know how to return to the surface with ease, how to float on their backs when necessary, and how to find the edge of the pool or ocean. Practice breathing techniques above and below the water’s surface and be sure The USSSA recommends doing a clothes test with your child by asking them to jump in the water fully dressed to make sure they can rescue themselves should they accidentally fall into a body of water.
25:10 Rule
Test the child’s swimming ability using the 25:10 rule. If the child can not swim 25 meters (which is the length of most pools) without stopping, then an adult must remain within 10 feet of the child at all times, preferably in the water. Additionally, be sure the child takes swimming breaks. It is recommended that kids take a rest every two hours to rehydrate and recuperate. Drowning can happen due to a lack of hydration and lethargy.
Wear bright colors
Bathing suits that are brown or green in color can often blend in underwater, making it harder to see someone struggling to swim. When shopping for swimsuits, look for bright pinks, yellows, reds, and purples that will stand out in contrast to the water, making it easier to keep an eye on each child.
They say it’s summertime and the living is easy, but it’s never really easy for those of us raising humans. There is always the need for extra steps and precautions to keep our tiny people safe. Relax this summer, enjoy the water, and be safe, Shore Local Moms!
Krystle J Bailey. Multimedia journalist, Author, Poet.
Connect with Krystle on Instagram @thedailybailey5
