water safety tips for dickson only

Water Safety Tips

 

General Water Safety Rules

Learn To Swim

Never Swim Alone

Swim Only in Safe Areas, Never Swim in a Ditch or River

Never Chew Gum or Eat While Swimming

Supervise Children and Weak Swimmers at All Times

Always Wear a Personal Flotation Device/Life Jacket When Boating or Near Moving Water

1. RESPECT THE WATER

Basic Rescue Guidelines

Reach- hold on to something stable and reach with your other hand to the person in the water

Throw – if you cannot reach with your hand, toss things that float for the person to hold onto  

Row – if in a boat use oars to move the boat close to the person in the water  

1. Don’t Go- do not go into the water unless professionally trained and certified and have the necessary equipment to do so

Boating Guidelines

Know your boat

Always wear a Personal Flotation Device/Life Jacket

Don’t stand while boat is moving

Make sure there is an experienced adult operating the boat

Don’t get on the boat if the operator has been drinking alcohol

Check the weather prior to departing

Carry a cell phone in a waterproof container (can be as simple as placing phone in a heavy duty zip lock bag and using duct tape to seal it).

Let someone know where you are going and when you will return, and stick to that plan

1. If floating a river, use a professional guide and raft

River Dangers

A river is moving faster than it appears, strong currents and undertows can make it impossible to swim effectively, even in shallow water

A river can have many hidden dangers beneath the surface that can trap or severely injure you. Some of these dangers include: cars, glass, trees, debris, sharp metal objects, barb wire, etc.

Hypothermia: water dissipates heat away from the body 20 times faster than air, even in the summer time, extended exposure to the water can be dangerous.

If caught in a current, float on your back traveling downstream feet first, angle your body towards shore (45 degree angle)

1. Video Moving Water, Adventure or Danger?  

Floods

Pay close attention to weather and news alerts

Don’t try to drive across flooded roads, water can stall a vehicle and waters can rise extremely fast putting the driver and passengers at risk. Swift water can easily move a car.

If in immediate danger of flood water, move to higher ground ASAP.

Do not play in or drink flood water, flood water is contaminated with numerous health hazards

If aware that a flood is coming, be prepared, have plenty of food, bottled water, radio, flashlights, batteries, and clothes

Now that you have read a little bit about water safety you will research basic water rescue.

Take a look at the websites below. You will be asked to describe basic water rescue in an assignment. 

 http://www.lifesaving.com/http://pawaterrescue.org/http://www.rbbi.com/folders/acc/rescue.htm

http://www.oceanrescue.com/page2.html

  

On page 1 several sites were given to learn about basic water rescue. After researching water rescue identify and describe the critical elements of basic water rescue. Include an evaluation of safety considerations, physical strength, movement etc. You may research other websites if you would like but please include an alternative sites.