Swimming and Water Safety

Introduction

Recreational swimming and water activities enrich our lives. While these activities add great value to our lives, water can potentially be a source of danger.

The Attraction to Water

People are drawn to water. Water is an important part of our lives. People love to swim as well. Swimmers can be found at pools and beaches or in competition throughout the year. Some swimmers quietly swim their laps, others join teams for water polo, diving, masters swimming or synchronized swimming.

Recreational swimming has become tremendously popular since late in the 19th century. Today, pools are everywhere. Most hotels and motels, apartment buildings and condominiums, schools, universities and municipalities have pools.

Water parks with rides, fountains, slides and artificial waves attract millions of patrons each year. Just as the number of places for swimming has increased, so have the kinds of activities people enjoy in and on the water.

While water can be a source of relaxation and enjoyment, it also presents a risk for drowning—a person can drown in less than 1 inch of water.

Each year, young children tragically die because parents and caregivers fail to recognize or notice the danger posed by bathtubs, toilets, kiddie pools, ditches and even 5-gallon buckets of water. Many of these tragic situations could have been avoided by simply following basic water safety rules and recognizing the risks associated with all types of aquatic activities and environments.

Making Water Activities Safer

Drowning is a global public health problem. It is a leading cause of death in nearly every country.  According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study, drowning rates in lower-income countries may be up to 50 times higher than in higher-income countries. 
The good news is that the vast majority of drownings are preventable. A growing body of research provides evidence of a strong link between water safety education and a reduction in drowning deaths. Understanding the importance of water safety education as a public health tool,the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) issued a position statement on the importance of water safety education.

ILS Statement on Water Safety Education and Drowning Prevention

1. Death by drowning is a leading public health problem in all countries. Prevention requires public and government support.

2. The vast majority of deaths by drowning can be prevented.

3. Everyone, ideally commencing at a young age and regardless of ability and background, should have access to training in water safety, personal survival and water rescue.

4. Knowledge and understanding of water environments and their associated hazards should be taught to everyone at the earliest possible age.

5. This awareness training should be accompanied by the provision of swimming teaching, in the safest manner possible and to at least a basic level of skill that provides the capacity for survival after unexpected and sudden immersion in water.

6. Acquisition of more advanced water safety knowledge and swimming skills, to include water rescue and competitive swimming, should be encouraged as these enhance aquatic safety.

7. Water hazards should be reduced wherever possible, particularly where swimming and water safety education take place.

8. Trained lifeguards should provide prevention, rescue and treatment where recreational swimming and water safety education take place.

9. Wherever possible, organizations with drowning-prevention expertise, based in highincome countries, should provide assistance to lower-income countries.

10. Accessible and affordable training in water safety and swimming skills should, ideally, be made available for everyone, particularly children, in all countries, to a level consistent with the ILS International Water Safety and Swimming Education Guidelines. (Source: International Life Saving Federation, 2007)