Summer Safety: Staying afloat

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steve Stanley
  • Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. --  You are enjoying an Air Combat Command family day with your loved ones at the beach, when suddenly your muscles tighten and premature exhaustion sets in. You think to yourself "I'm fit, this can't be happening". You sink further from the top of the water, try to scream for help, but water quickly enters your mouth. Panic sets in. Then you feel it, the strong grasp of an arm around you. Suddenly, you are catapulted to the top and before you know it, gasping for air. Looking to your side, you see the red clothing of your hero. It's a lifeguard and they just saved your life.

If you are not in the presence of a lifeguard, prevention is the only way to avoid becoming a statistic. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional death in the US and it is the number one cause of death in children between the ages of one and four years of age.

To stay safe while swimming, those of all ages enjoying themselves should remember these rules:
  • Learn how to swim. Swimming lessons and water safety courses are great options for teaching you and your family safety.
  • Swim in designated swimming areas preferably supervised by lifeguards. Only enter swimming pools during hours of operation.
  • Never leave children unattended and avoid distractions when supervising children.
  • Children should always wear Coast Guard approved flotation devices.
  • Do not run around the pool. Injuries caused by horseplay around the pool can often lead to dangerous situations.
  • Use the buddy system and never swim alone.
  • Never pretend to be drowning.
  • If you notice that someone is missing, check the pool first while another person calls 911.
  • Be sure that emergency equipment is available and familiarize yourself with the equipment's location. Emergency equipment may include reaching or throwing devices, cell phones, and a first aid kit.
  • Do not swim during storms.
  • Do not swim where lifeguards cannot see you. This includes under the guard shack.
These safety rules are important to learn and to repeat to children. Christina White, a lifeguard at the Shellbank Fitness Center on Langley Air Force Base explains, "A lot of accidents occur because of overconfidence or lack of knowledge of the area." She continues, "Get familiar with the current, slide or diving board. We see more injuries with children just due to excitement."

Not only do swimming pools pose a risk. Christina elaborates, "Natural water may have unknown or unseen objects. Be aware of where sand bars and currents are and pay attention to boat markers when out in the ocean. Stay in a lifeguarded zone."

If you find yourself in a comparable circumstance, it is important to stay calm.

"You never know when something might happen that you cannot control," White said. "Your first instinct is to tighten up, but you need to keep your mind about you, stay loose and think."

Lifeguards and first responders are trained in water safety, but relying solely on their expertise is ill-advised. Familiarize yourself with your area, the rules outlined in this article and the great advice from lifeguard, Christina White. In her words, "enjoy yourself, but be safe!"