Prepare for Spring… And Water Safety.

Written by Rebekah Emehiser for Modesto6.com
Spring is right around the corner and with that comes great family fun in the sun and the water. This also means that it is time to start thinking about water safety. In Stanislaus County, drowning is a leading cause for accidental deaths among young children. It ranks as nationally as the number one cause of accidental death for children under the age of four, according to the Center for Disease Control & Accident Prevention. Each year an additional 4,200 children are treated for submersion injuries at emergency rooms throughout the country. Most of these children were under the supervision of one or both of their parents and over 75 percent had been missing for less than 5 minutes.

One of the first lines of protection in water safety is learning to survival swimming skills. At Infant Swimming Resource (ISR), a child as young as 6 months can learn the skills to save themselves from an accidental fall into the water. ISR’s Self-Rescue™ program teaches children 6-12 months old to roll onto their back to float, rest and breathe, and be able to maintain this life-saving position until help arrives. Children 1-6 years old are taught a swim-float-swim survival sequence. They learn to swim with their head down; roll onto their back to float, rest, and breathe; and roll back over to resume swimming until they reach the side of the pool, where they can either crawl out or until they can be rescued.

If your children have already had lessons, there are a few other precautions you may take to ensure a safe day at the pool, lake or beach. Encourage children of all ages to always swim with a buddy and to stay within designated swimming areas (preferably where a lifeguard is present). The American Red Cross warns to watch for the “dangerous too’s”. These include children being too tired, water being too cold, swimming too far from safety, and getting too much sun.

We all know that parents should never leave children unattended. This is especially important when water is near. If you are at the pool with another adult, be sure the person in charge of supervising is aware that it is their responsibility. Assuming someone else is watching can be any easy yet grave mistake to make. Designate the supervisor to be an adult; watching a child in the water is too great a responsibility for an older child or siblings.

Flotation devices can be a double edge sword. While they give an inexperienced swimmer the ability to wade into deeper water, they can slip from under a child suddenly. “Water wings” as they are referred to often can give parents and children a false sense of security in the water. The one exception is that life jackets are required when boating.

The sun can be especially brutal on children’s skin. Using sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 45 will ensure there are no tears after the sun goes down. It is best to put sunscreen on 30 minutes before they head toward the sunshine and often it is easier to do before the water tempts them. For fair skin, reapply as often as every 30-45 minutes. Don’t forget hats and sunglasses too!

Bring snacks and drinks that will help the kids stay hydrated. Water helps the body regulate temperature and keep you cool. Sodas are diuretics, which will actually contribute to dehydration. Healthy snacks can also contribute to a more enjoyable experience. Sugary snacks raise blood sugar levels quickly but also drop them down fast. Choose foods that will sustain young bodies, like fruit and peanut butter crackers.

All in all, the summer is a wonderful time to enjoy the water. With a few basic safety rules, you are sure to have hours and hours of safe summer fun.

Rebekah Emehiser, is the only certified Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) Instructor in the area and is currently scheduling students for the 2011 season. The first session will begin on April 11th, and the second session will begin on June 27th. Time slots are filling up quickly, so make sure to contact Rebekah to guarantee a time slot for your child. Remember, it’s not about swimming, it’s about SURVIVING! For more information Rebekah can best be reached by email at r.emehiser@infantswim.com. Information can also be attained by visiting www.centralvalleyswim.com or www.infantswim.com.