Pool and Open Water Safety

On a daily basis, approximately 11 individuals in the U.S. lose their lives due to unintentional drowning, with one in five of these victims being children aged 14 or younger, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Red Cross aims to promote essential safety knowledge and skills that can potentially save lives in aquatic environments. We advocate for families to cultivate water confidence through safety awareness, prudent decision-making, swimming proficiency, and emergency preparedness.

Water Safety Tips:

1. Ensuring water safety involves several key measures:
   • Restricting unsupervised access to water, maintaining constant adult supervision, and learning how to swim are essential to prevent drowning.
2. Swimming classes are available for both children and adults. Locate Learn-to-Swim providers in your community. It’s also crucial for everyone to learn first aid and CPR to respond effectively during emergencies.
3. Swim in areas with lifeguards whenever possible. Assign a dedicated “water watcher” responsible for vigilant supervision until the next watcher takes over.
4. Drowning incidents are often rapid and silent. Without rescue, a drowning person may submerge within 20 to 60 seconds. Remember to reach or throw an object to them—avoid entering the water yourself to prevent becoming another victim.
5. In just moments, a child or weak swimmer can drown while attention is diverted—such as replying to a text, or applying sunscreen.

For further safety guidelines, especially in larger bodies of water like oceans or lakes, review our beach safety tips below.

Beach Safety Tips:

1. Watch the weather and exit the water at the first sign of lightning or thunder. Stay indoors and away from water for at least 30 minutes after the last lightning flash or thunderclap.
2. Swim only at beaches with lifeguards and within designated swimming areas. Follow all instructions and warnings from lifeguards, and inquire about local conditions.
3. Similar to pool safety, assign a “water watcher” who keeps a close eye on everyone in and around the water until relieved by the next designated watcher.
4. Ensure children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.
5. Avoid diving headfirst; enter open waters carefully. Watch out for and steer clear of aquatic life.
6. If caught in a rip current, remain calm and swim parallel to the shore until free of the current. Then, swim toward shore. If unable to swim to shore, float or tread water until the current weakens, then head toward safety, signaling for help if needed.

These measures aim to mitigate risks and ensure the safe enjoyment of open water for families and individuals alike.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association