Safety in the water

Drownings are among the most common fatal accidents. Most drowning victims are not swimmers but people who have fallen accidentally into the water from docks, bridges, or boats or who have drowned in bathtubs.

Children who are not good swimming should not play near the water without the supervision of an adult who is a good swimmer. Even good swimmers should never swim alone. Experienced divers never dive into an unfamiliar body of water, for it may contain rocks or have a shallow bottom on which they might injure themselves.

Boating accidents have become an increasing problem. people who have little or no experience in boats should not take them out alone. An experienced hand should accompany them. Good sailors never take chances. They do not go out in bad weather, and they do not overload their boats with passengers. Some summer resorts and yacht clubs now require that all passengers on a sailboat wear life jackets. Life jackets have saved the lives of many good swimmers injured or knocked unconscious in falls or other accidents.

If you are thrown into the water, try not to panic. Hold your breath, duck down under the water, and take off your shoes and other heavy clothing that might weigh you down. Save your strength, but attempt to stay with the boat. Rest by floating or treading water slowly. If you are caught in a current, do not try to swim against it but swim diagonally with the current until you are able to get out of it.

See also : Seven level of swimming | Great Breaststroke Kick