Safety Tips For Open Water Swimming

The beach is always a popular destination for vacation and for having fun!  Many of us love to pack up our families and head to the beach for a summer vacation. There is just something about the water that helps calm and relax us while also providing hours of fun and entertainment. Or perhaps you live near a lake and are a frequent beachgoer.  Whatever your reason for ending up at the beach, it is important to be safe while swimming in the lake. Swimming in a lake is much different than swimming in a pool or any other body of water. There are tides, waves, currents, marine life, and other aspects to consider before you dive in. Take some time and read these safety tips for open water swimming before heading to the beach. Or even better, be sure to enroll your children or toddlers in swimming lessons before your trips to the beach.  Private swimming lessons are a great way to teach basic swimming skills to children and can reduce the risk of drowning.

Proper Supervision

First and foremost, only swim where there is a lifeguard present. While this should be a rule for you and your family for swimming in all bodies of water, it is especially important for swimming in open water. Lifeguards at the beach are not only trained in lifeguarding skills, but also in skills specifically related to water rescues. Additionally, only swim in designated swimming areas and never swim too far from shore. Currents are strong in the lake and waves can easily sweep small children away from safety in a hurry.  Always read the rules for swimming that should be posted near the lifeguard stand and make your children aware of them.

Weather/water conditions

Keeping track of weather and water conditions is also an important safety tip when it comes to open water swimming. Be aware of any incoming storms, strong winds, or lightning in the area. Strong weather conditions can create even stronger rip currents, which is one of the leading causes of drowning deaths in open water. Rip currents can form quickly and are very difficult to swim out of, especially for small children. Also be aware of the colored flags posted on the lifeguard stands, as these will indicate severe weather, strong currents, dangerous sea life, and other hazards.  If you are unsure of the meaning of the flags, ask the lifeguard. 

Never swim alone

Swimming alone is never a good idea, and allowing your children to swim unsupervised in open water is not safe. Even if you are positioned on the beach and they are within your sight, you might not be able to respond quick enough to help them in the event of an emergency. To be safer in open water, always swim with your children, or have another trusted adult who knows how to swim, be in the water with the children as well. This will insure that someone is within arm’s reach should an accident occur.

If you are looking for private swimming lessons for your child, or toddlers swimming lessons, contact Zodiac Swim School today. Their professional instructors have a class or lesson that can benefit your family and help teach safety for open water swimming.

Swimming Helps In Childhood Obesity Prevention

It is common knowledge that childhood obesity is a major issue in today’s society.  The statistics of childhood obesity is staggering and a bit scary, as so many of our children are suffering from childhood obesity. Obesity can lead to other, more serious disorders that could have easily been avoided with a healthy diet and consistent activity. These disorders can include high cholesterol and diabetes, diseases which are typically not a concern until well into adulthood. With the many concerns that parents face in relation to their children, childhood obesity should not have to be one of them. That is why it is important for parents to understand ways they can combat childhood obesity. One of those ways is through activity, and what better activity for children to participate in than swimming?!  Allowing your child to participate in private swimming lessons in order to learn the proper way to swim has a wide range of benefits that can help your child stay active and avoid obesity.  Not to mention, children love swimming! It is a fun activity that doesn’t feel like exercise at all!  Here are some ways that swimming can fight obesity. 

Movement

Movement is a key factor in preventing childhood obesity.  Swimming is a great way to implement movement into your child’s life.  Swimming is a sport and activity that any child can participate in and be successful at.  All children can learn to swim, as they do not need to be athletic to do so.  Private swimming lessons can teach your child different swimming strokes and allow them to swim laps for exercise, play games in the pool, etc.  Even playing games in the pool is promoting movement and physical fitness!  Swimming also promotes flexibility and cardiovascular health, which can lead to additional benefits. It is also an activity that is easier on the joints that other sports.

Other Health Benefits

As mentioned above, swimming is also a great way to promote cardiovascular health, which helps to strengthen the heart and lungs.  And a strong cardiovascular system lessons the risk of childhood obesity. Swimming also strengthens muscles and improves balance and posture. The resistance of the water as the arms and limbs move throughout the pool provides muscle building conditioning.  

It is easy to see how swimming can benefit the overall health of your child.  The sport of swimming is often overlooked as being a sport that can do so much for the health of the human body. However, with the proper technique learned through private swimming lessons, your child can both enjoy their time in the water and increase their overall health. There is also the added benefit of being assured that your child is safe in the pool due to their being properly trained.  When searching for private swimming lessons for your child, it is important to keep in mind that the instructor should be certified in the Red Cross swimming levels in order for your child to learn the proper technique.  Zodiac Swim School offers a variety of swimming instructors that are Red Cross certified and can teach your child properly and safely.

Rules to Follow When Swimming For your Health And Safety

Be it a swimming pool or open water, you will always find instructions in place with rules and safety tips. If you wonder why, then this article will help you understand these rules that are meant for children’s health and safety when swimming. You certainly do not want them to become hurt due to the lack of knowledge, only to know how it could have been prevented by following a simple guideline.

Here are 14 Rules That Should Be Followed For Health And Safety When Swimming

1. Always read the safety instructions, if you and your kids are going to a swimming pool. Follow the pool rules.
2. Always wear proper swimming gear whether your child is in a public pool or taking private swimming lessons. Swim suit fabric is specially designed for swimming and swim caps are available to protect hair. Since, swimming pools have certain level of chemicals in water, not wearing goggles may hurt the eyes and cause irritation.
3. Do not go into the pool with jewelry on. Ensure that you have removed your child’s jewelry like earrings, bracelets or necklaces.
4. Remind your child to listen to the directions of the lifeguard. They are there to help and have been trained just for this. Swim only when a lifeguard is on duty. Swimming lessons in Toronto have lifeguards on duty at all times for the safety of swimmers.
5. Since the ground around the pool is usually wet, it is advisable to be cautious while walking near it. Pay extra attention to your kids and don’t let them run, because they most likely will slip and fall into the pool.
6. Pools usually have ‘No diving’ signs, because the pool is not deep enough and they may sustain head injuries if not obeyed.  Always advise children of these areas explaining why diving is not allowed.
7. It is advisable to never swim alone. Always swim under supervision and this is a must in case of kids, because you never know what can go wrong. Even if your child is taking private swimming lessons, still maintain constant supervision.
8. Avoid swimming if your kids have flu or cold because they may infect others very easily or feel worse.
9. For adults, never swim under the influence of alcohol or medicine. Your weakened body will not have enough energy to swim and that increases the chances of drowning.
10. Do not swim during a thunderstorm because of the risk of getting hit by lightning.
11. Learning CPR and knowing basic first aid tips certainly helps in keeping your kids and friends safe. You never know when you or they may need it and there are situations where there isn’t enough time to wait for help. Swimming lessons like the ones offered by Zodiac Swim School provides first-aid safety and CPR courses which will prove useful in case of emergencies and reduce the response time.
12. Always take a quick shower and wash off all dirt before going into the pool. Nobody wants to swim in a dirty pool, hence keeping it clean for others makes sense.
13. No matter how much fun it may seem to fool around in water, never try stunts that are dangerous and may end very badly.
14. While taking private swimming lessons, ensure that your child is protected from the sun. Apply sunscreen to protect your skin from direct sunlight as well as from the chemicals in the water.

Before you go swimming…check for safety instructions. Save yourself and your loved ones from a mishap. Find  swimming lessons in Toronto from reputable swim schools like Zodiac Swim School and be a pro. To learn more about Zodiac, check them out here.