U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
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Boating and Water Safety for Kids

Simple techniques to help keep your young ones safe

When temperatures rise, lots of people head to the lake, the beach, or even the pool to enjoy the water and cool off. Some families like to head down a waterslide, while others like to take out a boat or a yacht. While each of these activities can be fun, the most important thing is that you are safe. In fact, keep an eye on your parents and other adults in the group. There’s a good chance they are trying to follow the rules and set an example for you to follow.

When it comes to being on a boat or a yacht, life jackets are an important piece of equipment that you need to be able to use. Life jackets are put on just like a regular jacket. Click the clips into place and you are all set. It isn’t enough just to have a life jacket on, though. You need to make sure that the life jacket fits properly. It’s also a good idea to know the difference between open bodies of water and a pool when it comes to safety. In a lake, an ocean, or a river, the ground might be uneven or slippery. There are currents and undertows that could keep you from moving where you want to go in the water. Make sure that you understand how being in these types of water means that you should pay extra attention to the safety rules and the adults that you are with.

It doesn’t matter whether you are swimming in an open body of water or a pool; the most important swimming rule to remember is that you need to be with another person. Swimming lessons are great and can help you enjoy the water even more, but they won’t make you waterproof! It might be hard to believe, but even a person who has been swimming all their life can still run into a problem and struggle in the water. They could have a cramp or become tired. No matter what, it is important that an adult always be present while you are in the water. If you plan to swim, make sure that you know when you are getting tired or when you have been underwater long enough. Don’t try to push yourself too hard and get overly tired. This could be a problem when you try to make your way back to the side of the pool or to shore. Knowing your body and your swimming abilities is very important when you are in open water. In a swimming pool, the deck is nearby and you can reach up and get out quickly. But larger bodies of water can carry you away from the boat or shore, leaving a large distance to cover before you can get out.

Being in or around water is a big responsibility. Did you know that it is possible for a person to drown in only one inch of water? For this reason, it is so important to follow all of the safety rules no matter where you are enjoying the water. You already know that you need a life jacket if you are in open water, and you always need to swim with a buddy. However, grown-ups have a big responsibility, too, when it comes to kids around water. Adults always need to have at least one person focused on the kids to make sure that everything is going well. It’s also a good idea if adults know how to perform CPR in case an accident happens. And finally, if you see a child or friend in the water who needs help, make sure to get an adult right away. It can be tempting to jump in after them and try to help, but even if you are a good swimmer, you could be putting yourself at risk. Find an adult quickly and let them handle the situation.