In part two of our Summer Series on water safety, I’ll jump into open-water tips. We tend to worry the most about the youngest kids on the water, but drowning rates for teens triple when they reach age 15. Teenagers can be just as fearless as preschoolers and more likely to take big risks when playing in open-water. If you are boating on Lake Lewisville, wading into the coast of South Texas or flying off for a tropical vacation at the beach, these helpful reminders will keep you on your toes.
Know Water Conditions
Whether you are on a crystal clear beach in Cancun or on one of the more murky North Texas Lakes, water conditions can vary and change every day. If you are vacationing on the coast in Galveston or even all the way down in Mexico on the Gulf, rip currents can be hard to spot from the shore and pose a big risk for drowning, even for experienced swimmers. Know the condition of the water before going in for even just a dip.
Life Jackets
The most crucial thing to remember on open-water is the importance of life jackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs). Growing up as a kid with an active-duty Coast Guard Dad meant that life jackets were non-negotiable, even as a teenager hanging out with experienced boaters. If a life jacket isn’t stamped with “United States Coast Guard Approved” or “USCG Approved”, it is not safe and can mean the difference between a fun day on the water and tragedy. If you have a lake house, boat or are even just visiting the beach, enforce a “toe in/vest on” rule so anyone going near the water has an approved life vest on.
Lifeguards and Water-Watchers
The best choice would be to find lakefronts and beaches that have lifeguards working, but that isn’t always possible. Just like with pool safety, when you are on open-water, designate water-watchers who are sober, not distracted and able to take breaks from watching the water. It might be helpful to have them wear a wristband or take shifts with other adults to watch the water and everyone in it. Be sure that no one jumps in to save someone in distress who can’t swim themself, or there will be two people in need of rescue.
Just like in our first post of the Summer Series: Tips for Pool Safety, I can’t stress enough the importance of early and effective swimming lessons for children. As soon as they are old enough, usually around age 4, swimming lessons can add a great deal of protection. Our little one has been in swimming lessons in Allen/McKinney since she was 3 at Life Time and loves the small class sizes. I love that they have swim classes for all ages, even adults.
What else would you add as a safety tip for boating, lake days or beach vacations?