Be honest with me, in the past few months, how many times has the idea of bright sunny beaches framed by tall coconut trees waving in the warm, lazy breeze crossed your mind? Beach vacations have been a staple family holiday (for a good reason). However, it’s important to remember that drowning is still the leading cause of death in children under 14 in Canada. Here are 5 tips you can easily do to keep your family safe while still enjoying the sun, sand and surf this Summer!
#1: Pay Attention to Swimming Advisories and Lifeguard Instructions
Before heading to the beach, consult your local Swim Guide for any advisories, warnings, closures, health concerns or other important safety information. Between May and September, Vancouver beaches employ lifeguards from sunrise to sunset. If a lifeguard tells you to stay out of the water for the time being, please listen to them.
#2: Know the Signs of A Child In Distress
Drowning can happen in under a minute and rarely looks like it does in the movies. When someone is drowning, they probably don’t have the capability to wave their arms in the air and yell for help as they’ll be trying to keep themselves above water to catch their breath. It’s safe practice to always have an eye on your child and make sure you can get to them quickly whenever they’re in the water. Try to stay within an arm's reach of them if they are young or not a strong swimmer.
#3: No Diving Until You Know How Deep The Water Is
In open water, safety hazards aren’t always visible to the naked eye. Avoid diving head first into the water at the beach as the sand is often hard packed and unforgiving. Sharp rocks, marine life and even other beachgoers may be hard to detect from above the water as well.
#4: Take Lots of Breaks
It’s important to take multiple breaks from the water while at the beach. Heat stroke, heat exhaustion, sunburns, dehydration and exhaustion are all possible side effects of pushing your limits to dangerous levels. Which in turn, increases the possibility of accidents, drowning, and longer lasting effects. Instead of spending all your time at the shore, consider having a small picnic in the shade for a chance for everyone to refuel and get a break from the constant sun. Make sure to pack sunscreen and lots of water for everyone!
#5: Entering Water Only with Approval and Supervision
Whenever possible, it's good for parents and guardians to come up with set rules before ever entering a body of water. A good one is getting the child to ask permission before going into the pool by establishing contact with the supervising adult, asking the adult if they are ready for them to enter the pool, and then counting 1-2-3 together with the supervising adult before entering the pool. That way, everyone knows where everybody is, and children aren’t sneaking into the pool without notice.
If a beach vacation isn’t in your near future, check out our Fall session as well as our year round programs at our pools in Richmond, Maple Ridge, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Cloverdale, and Abbotsford. For more information on our programs, how to register, and much more, head over to our website! Come swim with Swim Fins: www.swimfins.ca/register