July 2, 2024 by llhalladay
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to be on, in, or around the water. Last summer, I wrote about being water-safe, including how to be water-competent. Being water-competent is understanding the importance of having a plan, knowing your skills and limitations, and having the ability to help others. This summer, I wanted to talk about swimming and boating in a natural water source like a river, lake, or ocean. There are significant differences between swimming in a pool environment and swimming in a natural environment.
The natural environment causes some additional challenges and requires extra knowledge and skills. Often, water in a river, lake, or ocean causes limited or no visibility, which makes it difficult to see hazards, including changes in water depth. Water in the natural environment is unpredictable; from unexpected temperature changes to currents, waves, and rapids to vegetation and wildlife, many obstacles happen suddenly and without warning. Additionally, there is often mixed traffic on the water from other swimmers, people paddling, speed boats, and even people fishing from either the boat or the shore.
The American Red Cross gives these basic safety tips while swimming in a natural water environment:
- Enter water feet first.
- Do not enter water of unknown depth from a height.
- Never swim alone.
- Designate supervision
- Swim sober and without distractions.
The water and environment can change rapidly and without warning; this includes currents moving objects into your area or making it difficult to swim. It is important to designate a “water watcher(s)” to supervise swimming who is willing to remain sober and eliminate distractions such as long conversations and cell phones. Water visibility is limited, so it is important to notice if someone is struggling before they slip below the surface.
There are many types of boats. Boats with engines and boats without. Boats can have various lengths and may have enclosed areas. Each boat has different limitations, numbers, and weight capacities.
Here are a few considerations every time you are on the water, regardless of the size of the boat.
- Always wear a life jacket – Don’t just pack it; wear your jacket.
- Know the laws; in Ohio, everyone must wear a life jacket while riding a personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, while water skiing or being towed. Further, everyone under 10 must wear a life jacket on vessels under 18 feet. All boats (including kayaks and canoes) must have an appropriate life jacket for each person on board; the life jacket should be easily accessible and not stored in a sealed or locked container. Boats over 16 feet must also have a throwable flotation device.
- Know what type of water you are boating on and possible currents, rapids, and depths.
- Weather impacts: if it has rained recently, the rivers and creeks may be fuller and moving faster than before; cold water can cause hypothermia and any potential incoming weather for your day on the water.
- Even if you do not plan to swim, you should always have a plan for a water emergency or what to do if someone enters the water.
I’ve been swimming for as long as I’ve been able to walk, and I still wear a life jacket when out kayaking. I often say that if I enter the water while kayaking, it isn’t by choice, which means I may need my life jacket because the situation is out of my control. There are no do-overs when it comes to water safety. Invest in a comfortable, well-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
Binny at the Lake
The water is a great source of fun, a place to make memories and cool off on a hot summer day, but make sure before you and your family head out on the water that you have a plan, designate a water watcher(s) who will commit to eliminating distractions, create a list family swimming rules, pair up with a swim buddy of similar ability, and always remember to bring your life jacket.
References:
American Red Cross. Swimming safely in lakes, rivers, & streams. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/lake-river-safety.html
American Red Cross. Know about boating before you go floating. https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDFs/Take_a_Class/Know_about_boating_before_you_go_floating.pdf
Be Water Safe this Summer. https://livehealthyosu.com/2023/05/23/be-water-safe-this-summer/
Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Life jacket facts. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/recreational-safety/life-jacket-facts
U.S. Coast Guard. Life jacket wear/Wearing your life jacket. Boat Responsibly. https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php
Written by: Laura Halladay, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension.
Reviewed by: Kate Shumaker, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Holmes County
July 2, 2024
Water Safety Tips: Swimming & Boating in the Great Outdoors | Live Healthy Live Well
maximios Blog
July 2, 2024 by llhalladay
One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to be on, in, or around the water. Last summer, I wrote about being water-safe, including how to be water-competent. Being water-competent is understanding the importance of having a plan, knowing your skills and limitations, and having the ability to help others. This summer, I wanted to talk about swimming and boating in a natural water source like a river, lake, or ocean. There are significant differences between swimming in a pool environment and swimming in a natural environment.
The natural environment causes some additional challenges and requires extra knowledge and skills. Often, water in a river, lake, or ocean causes limited or no visibility, which makes it difficult to see hazards, including changes in water depth. Water in the natural environment is unpredictable; from unexpected temperature changes to currents, waves, and rapids to vegetation and wildlife, many obstacles happen suddenly and without warning. Additionally, there is often mixed traffic on the water from other swimmers, people paddling, speed boats, and even people fishing from either the boat or the shore.
The American Red Cross gives these basic safety tips while swimming in a natural water environment:
The water and environment can change rapidly and without warning; this includes currents moving objects into your area or making it difficult to swim. It is important to designate a “water watcher(s)” to supervise swimming who is willing to remain sober and eliminate distractions such as long conversations and cell phones. Water visibility is limited, so it is important to notice if someone is struggling before they slip below the surface.
There are many types of boats. Boats with engines and boats without. Boats can have various lengths and may have enclosed areas. Each boat has different limitations, numbers, and weight capacities.
Here are a few considerations every time you are on the water, regardless of the size of the boat.
I’ve been swimming for as long as I’ve been able to walk, and I still wear a life jacket when out kayaking. I often say that if I enter the water while kayaking, it isn’t by choice, which means I may need my life jacket because the situation is out of my control. There are no do-overs when it comes to water safety. Invest in a comfortable, well-fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
The water is a great source of fun, a place to make memories and cool off on a hot summer day, but make sure before you and your family head out on the water that you have a plan, designate a water watcher(s) who will commit to eliminating distractions, create a list family swimming rules, pair up with a swim buddy of similar ability, and always remember to bring your life jacket.
References:
American Red Cross. Swimming safely in lakes, rivers, & streams. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/lake-river-safety.html
American Red Cross. Know about boating before you go floating. https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDFs/Take_a_Class/Know_about_boating_before_you_go_floating.pdf
Be Water Safe this Summer. https://livehealthyosu.com/2023/05/23/be-water-safe-this-summer/
Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Life jacket facts. https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/recreational-safety/life-jacket-facts
U.S. Coast Guard. Life jacket wear/Wearing your life jacket. Boat Responsibly. https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php
Written by: Laura Halladay, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension.
Reviewed by: Kate Shumaker, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Holmes County