10 Water Safety Tips from our friends at Sea Life Aquarium at Great Lakes Crossing in Auburn Hills. Sarah S, certified Divemaster & Rescue Diver put together these tips to help everyone remain safe around our pools (and elsewhere) this summer and beyond.
Sarah put together these top water safety tips to share with your loved ones. Please hit the share button — it may help save a life!
10 Water Safety Tips – SEA LIFE MICHIGAN’S Divemaster & Rescue Diver
- Water Safety Tips – Bring a Buddy – Whether you’re in a public pool, your at-home oasis, at the beach or in a river, make sure you always swim with a friend! Having a buddy nearby means that you have someone looking out for you who can help in case of an emergency (and vice versa!).
- Never Leave Children Unattended Near Water – This may seem obvious but water is everywhere, not just outside. Toilets, bathtubs & kitchen sinks are common household water sources that are dangerous for little ones, too. Emergencies can happen in a matter of seconds and good supervision may be the difference between a fun afternoon and a serious problem.
- Always Walk. Never Run! – Pools edges, diving boards & docks can be very slippery and you should always walk carefully on these surfaces (even when it’s a million degrees and the allure of the cool water makes you want to run).
- Don’t Eat A Big Meal Before Swimming – Having a full tummy may cause cramping which can severely impede your ability to tread water and swim to safety if necessary. Be sure to bring plenty of water and stay hydrated, though, because the sun (and it’s reflection off the water) can leave you dehydrated during the summer months.
- Learn Your Local Boating Laws & Practices – If you’re a lake-goer, take the time to research and follow local boating laws & practices. Make sure that everyone knows to hold an arm up in the air if they go overboard so they can be seen by you and other passing boats.
- Bring the Proper Safety Equipment – Young children and anyone who doesn’t know how to swim should wear life jackets around open water. If you’re boating, there must be a fitted life jacket for everyone on board (it’s the law!) and they should be worn even when the water is calm. Be sure to have an emergency inner tube available, too.
- Re-read Tip #6 – It’s really good advice, okay?
- Swim & Dive in Designated Areas Only, Preferably Under the Supervision of a Lifeguard – While it may be tempting to take a dip in that suspect pond or lake you’ve been eyeing, there are probably reasons why it’s not designated for swimming — many of which you may not be able to see.
- Learn Basic First-Aid Skills – …and possibly CPR/AED if you want to be as prepared as possible. While it’s always best to leave rescue operations to professionals, if you know first aid you may be in a position to stabilize someone who’s having an emergency until an expert (lifeguard, first responder) can arrive at the scene.
- Practice, Practice, Practice – According to the American Red Cross, 80% of Americans say that they can swim. However, only 46% are able to perform the five basic water safety skills. Be sure that you and your loved ones are familiar with and practice these Water Safety Tips skills every summer!
a. Step or jump into water that is deep enough to go over your head.
b. Return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute without the use of flotation devices.
c. Turn around in a full circle and find an exit.
d. Swim 75 feet to exit the water without stopping.
e. Exit the water. If you’re in a pool, make sure you can exit the pool without using the ladder. - BONUS Water Safety Tip – Have fun and enjoy the summer! Our Great Lakes contain a whopping 21% of the world’s freshwater. We’re incredibly lucky to have access to these precious natural resources and it’s our job to protect them. By spending time with our friends & families in our lakes, rivers and streams, we can instill a love for these irreplaceable treasures for generations to come.
SEA LIFE MICHIGAN AQUARIUM BIRTHDAY PARTY INFO
Water Safety Tips – ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah S. is SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium’s certified Divemaster & Rescue Diver [Professional Association of Diving (PADI) Open Water Diver, PADI Advanced Diver, PADI Rescue Diver, PADI Divemaster, CPR/AED/Emergency Oxygen certified, Winderness First Aid certified]. She is also the aquarium’s Senior Aquarist with a Bachelor in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan and a Masters in Marine Biology from the University of Victoria.
ABOUT SEA LIFE MICHIGAN
SEA LIFE is Michigan’s largest aquarium with over 250 species and 2,000 creatures including sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles and more! At SEA LIFE, you’ll journey through the freshwater lakes of Michigan all the way to the depths of the ocean and meet the amazing creatures that live there. Then, visit the Interactive Touchpool and learn what it feels like to pet a crab, urchin, sea star and other rockpool creatures! Finish your adventure by strolling through the Underwater Ocean Tunnel and watch as thousands of tropical fish swim overhead. To get any closer, you’d have to get wet!
SEA LIFE MICHIGAN AQUARIUM
4316 Baldwin Rd
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
248-409-6009
www2.visitsealife.com/michigan
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS HEALTH / FAMILY HEALTH ARTICLES
For more info on Water Safety Tips, visit Sarah at Sea Life Michigan.
