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Most drownings happen when people forget to follow basic safety rules while they are in and around water. Learning swimming safety skills can help you enjoy a wide variety of water activities that can be enjoyed by all ages while avoiding injury.
If you live in a area where water safety classes are taught, it would be a good idea to take the class as a family, especially if you have younger children. All water safety techniques should be practiced until you feel comfortable performing them for long periods of time.
Survival floating, back floating and treading water are all types of water floatation that is designed to help your body relax and conserve energy if you do not have a lifejacket.
SURVIVAL FLOATING
1. In a "Resting Position" face down, let your body float in the water with your knees tucked into your chest. You will be holding your breath concentrating on relaxing your muscles.
2. For the second position known as the "Exhaling Position" of survival floating, make swimming motions with your arms until you surface with your head above the water to exhale.
3. After breathing comfortably for a few minutes, inhale and return to the "Resting Position".
BACK FLOATING
Also known as "sculling," the back float is preformed by lying flat on your back with your feet relaxed and slightly apart. Your arms are at your sides moving slowly side-to-side. If you feel yourself sinking, raise your chin putting your head further back in the water. The key to effective back floating is to relax your body. Very little motion should be required to remain afloat.
TREADING WATER
In a sitting position in the water. Rhythmically move your arms back and forth at the same time you move your bicycle your legs.
EMERGENCY WATER FLOTATION DEVICE
If you do not have a life jacket and are stranded in the water in an emergency situation you can make your own emergency water flotation device using your clothing. Lifeguards and Boy Scouts practice this technique by removing clothing such as pants or shirts while underwater. By teeing a knot in the arm or leg hole of your clothing you can raise them above the water to fill them with air which will enable them to float.
WATER SAFETY RULES
The best water safety skill is to learn to be a strong swimmer and be aware of potential hazards or danger. Even though you may be a good swimmer you should still consider wearing a life jacket when you are in the water or on a boat.
Never swim alone or adapt what the Boy Scouts call the "buddy system". Swim in a safe area where you are familiar with the depth of the water and know there are no hidden objects under the water.
Although it is a myth that you should not swim after eating, you should treat swimming as any exercise and stretch out your muscles thoroughly to avoid sore and cramped muscles. You should also not swim when you are overly tired or recovering from an illness.
Judging distances in the water can be very misleading, and even strong swimmers should be careful not to swim further away from shore than is necessary.
The American Red Cross Swimming Program and most other good swimming lesson instructors require CPR and other basic first aid training to be taught to all skill levels.
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