Water Safety

Desired Learning Outcomes

 Describe ways on how to become safe in the

different water activities.
 Demonstrate knowledge and understanding
on the different water safety.
 Perform first aid in rescuing victim in water
activities.
 Enumerate ways on skin care and nutrition.
 Prepare dietary program for swimmers
Swimming is risky since it involves
propelling the body to water. It is very
important to know the different safety
measures before conducting any
swimming activity.
This module includes the hazard and
safety measures/risks of swimming,
emergency action steps and plan and
nutrition and skin care.
 Hazard and Safety Measures/Risks of
Swimming

The general rules of swimming are

concerned mostly with the safety of the
participants. Most pools and public
swimming areas post regulations that are
designed to protect swimmers. Swimmers
may neglect to observe these rules because
they do not understand the reasons for their
existence.
Clarification of the “whys” of these rules
might serve to improve both your
interest in and willingness to observe
them, and your efforts to see that others
follow them as well.
Learn to swim well from a competent
instructor.
Why? Skill in swimming is the most
effective way to save your life in a
threatening situation involving water. A
competent instructor can teach you skills,
knowledge, and techniques that will help
you deal appropriately with emergencies.
Never swim alone, regardless of your skill
or experience.
Why? That one time you are alone is
when you might get a cramp, slip, be
knocked unconscious, or meet with some
unexpected problem that you cannot
solve alone or that keeps you from seeking
necessary assistance.
Do not overestimate your ability.
Why? Someone dares you to swim to an
island in the middle of the lake.
You are a strong swimmer, but when an
unexpected storm comes up the waves are
too much for you, or once you get out
there, you are too tired to get back.
There is always another day to surf, and
the added safety factor of swimming long
distances with a boat may keep you alive
to do it again.
Never depend on air-filled flotation
devices.
Why? Deep-water swimming should be
done by capable swimmers or under strict
observation by an instructor while learning.
If you are not able to take care of yourself
under all unexpected circumstances, stay in
the shallow area.
Observe regulations involving limitations in
swimming areas.
Why? Lakes and oceans are marked with
buoys to limit the safe swimming areas by
experts who have screened the currents,
undertows and marine life that may be harmful.
The swimmer who has been caught in kelp will
stay out of that area. Being caught in
overwhelming waves or currents however, might
not let you have a second chance. Stay in the
swimming area provided.
Always look before you jump or dive into
a pool.
Why? Of course none of us wants to
jump on anyone, and diving on someone
might prove fatal. In addition to these
factors, it is terribly annoying to a beginner
or an older person to be splashed or
dunked as a result of horseplay.
Only one diver on the board at one time.
Why? It is lots of fun to break the spring of a
friend who is about to take off into a “cannon
ball” causing him to land little hard, but if you
stand on the board when a novice is diving,
that person might fall on the board or the deck
and be severely injured.
 No running on the pool deck.
Why? This one should be obvious; the pool
deck is slippery when wet.
Shower before entering the pool.
Why? Here the concern is more for
cleaning and common decency than
safety. The major purpose is to remove
heavy oils like suntan lotion, greasy hair oil,
or sand and dirt off your suit if you have
been playing ball or sunning yourself
Emergency Action Steps and Plan

Emergency Action Plans are

designed to assist the employees and
patrons to understand and know
what to do in the event of an
emergency.
The following is the Emergency Action Plan for
the Aquatic Center pool area.
Whistle Cadences - These are the procedures
for reacting to and communicating situations
that arise on the deck.
One Blast: Used to get the attention of a guest
or another guard. Call the guest over to
enforce a rule. It is difficult to hear across the
pool.
Two Blasts:
Used when a guard is performing a
rescue. When this happens, all other
guards must stand up in their chairs and be
sure to cover the area of the guard
performing the rescue. Be alert for a call to
assist.
Three Blasts: Used when a guard is getting
out of the chair and needs assistance by
other guards.
The closest guard is to assist in the situation;
all other guards remain standing in chairs
and cover area of guards performing the
rescue.
If the situation is serious or if more assistance
is necessary it may require evacuation of
the swimmers from the pool (i.e. neck &
back injury).
One Long Blast: Clears the pool. When
you hear a whistle, look towards the
whistle to define your role in assisting in
the emergency.
Additional also, during an accident a brief
assessment of the situation be made in case
of an accident. The few seconds it takes to
check the injured person will assure
appropriate action can be taken.
If a person has sustained a neck or back
injury such as falling from water skis or in a
springboard diving mishap, more severe
injury can be caused by moving the victim
unnecessarily.
A brief assessment will provide correct
treatment or appropriate contact of
professional aid with a minimum loss of
time. When an accident occurs, keep the
following steps in mind:

1. Briefly assess the situation; Check pulse

and breathing. Do not move the victim if
there is any possibility of neck or back injury.
2. Send someone for help; most areas
respond to the 911 emergency number.

3. Administer CPR if the victim has no pulse

and you are certified. It is highly
recommended that every adult become
certified in administering both mouth to
mouth resuscitation and CPR.
4. Administer mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation
- if the person has stopped breathing.
Never administer artificial respiration to
someone who is breathing. Ask the victim
if he or she is “OK”.
5. Treat for shock.
Keep the victim warm. Elevate feet if the
victim can be moved and there is no
injury to the head.
Do not change the position of a person
who has neck or back injury unless death
is imminent if you do not move them.
In the event of an emergency, incident which
needs a single guard rescue;
1. Recognize emergency and act
2. 2 whistle blasts
3. Proceed with rescue
4. Other guards stand and provide backup
and coverage.
Remain alert for signal for additional help in
rescue.
5. Supervisor moves to area to assist and to
call EMS if necessary.
6. Equipment Room Staff Member notified and
designated to meet EMS.
7. Witnesses interviewed, reports completed
by Supervisor.
 8. Equipment checked and replaced.
9. Lifeguard returns to duty.
10. Supervisor completes corrective action,
notifies GM & Director.
Nutrition and Skin Care
Nutritional Guidelines for Swimmers

A Proper eating program is just important to an

elite athlete’s success as their training program.
Think of your body as a car.
The food and drink you consume are fuel. High-
level athletes are like finely tuned cars that require
high quality fuel to achieve optimal performance.
Putting low quality fuel into your body can lead to
poor health and sub-par performance.
Stay hydrated
Your body is more than 60% water and your
muscles depend on water to function properly.
A dehydrated body cannot train or compete at
its peak.
Drink enough so that your urine looks like pale
lemonade or apple juice and so that you are
urinating frequently throughout the day.
Fuel up before training
Focus on eating lean proteins, fruits and
vegetables and whole grains to ensure that your
body is prepared for training. Try not to go into a
training session with an empty fuel tank. Eat a
meal 3-4 hours or a snack 1-2 hours before
exercise.
Boost your immune system.
Choose foods that are high in antioxidants such
as fruits and vegetables to help keep your
immune system healthy and reduce the amount
of free radicals that your body builds up during
high intensity training. Choose more colorful fruits
and vegetables such as blueberries, strawberries,
kiwis, oranges, broccoli, carrots and sweet
potatoes.
Limit fats
Saturated and Trans fats can cause
inflammation which is the exact opposite of what
elite athletes need. Stay away from foods that
are processed or fried, and higher fat meats like
chicken wings, bologna and pastrami. Choose
non-inflammatory unsaturated fats such as olives,
avocados, nuts, seeds, and salmon.
Eat to recover
Choose carbohydrate rich foods with some
protein within 30-60 minutes of finishing a training
session to help your body recover faster. Good
choices after workouts include: peanut butter
sandwich (half or whole), carton of chocolate
milk, or a bowl of cereal with milk or yogurt.
Sports bars, gels and drinks do have their place
in an elite athlete’s eating program. Be sure to
not over-use these types of products, however,
as they can deter body weight goals and can
replace more beneficial calories from whole
foods. Use sports products before, during or
immediately after practice depending on your
sport needs and goals.
The Swimmer’s Guide to Skincare
How can you protect your skin from the drying
effects of pool water? It’s partly about minimizing
how much chlorine and other irritants your skin
absorbs – moisturize well in advance and always
shower before a swim.
More generally you’ll want to take good care of
yourself. Very hot showers and baths are not your
friend, so dial down their temperature. And
make sure to drink plenty of water throughout
your day, especially if you’re planning a dip.
Exfoliation
A little exfoliation can go a long way when it
comes to keeping skin soft. This might be courtesy
of an exfoliating mitten, an oil-based salt scrub.
Whatever your favored method, pay special
attention to your knees and elbows as these can
be your driest areas. Your newly smooth skin –
cleaned of dead cells – will more readily absorb
moisturizer.
An overnight skin mask
When it comes to beating dry skin, the
overnight mask is a real heavyweight. Go for
one with hydrating properties and slather on a
generous layer before bed. Tip: You might want
to put a towel over your pillow to avoid
moisturizing more than your face.
The use of lemons
Ever find your knees look a little discolored?
Try rubbing them with half a lemon to ease
dryness and dark patches.
Which moisturizers work well?
Any quality moisturizer will hydrate skin and,
while you’re in the pool, act as a barrier to the
chlorinated water. Products containing
antioxidants such as vitamin C and E score major
points for swimmers. And don’t forget: If you’re
likely to catch the sun, opt for moisturizers with a
high SPF factor.
What can soothe eczema and sensitive skin?
A thick layer of emollient cream will lend you
a protective barrier while swimming. Then as
soon as you’ve hit land again, wash using a
fragrance-free shower gel and chase this with a
moisturizer. If the eczema is on your hands or
feet, you could try an intensive moisturizing
treatment. Apply this at bedtime before pulling
on a pair of cotton gloves or socks to wear
overnight
Can swimmers wear make-up without it
smudging?
A little make-up can be worn if chosen
carefully. To cover blemishes and
imperfections, make-up artist Linda Hay
recommends a CC cream or a tinted
moisturizer, especially those containing SPF if
you’ll be exposed to any sun rays.
In terms of blushers and eye shadows, it’s best
to find cream-textured ones as these beat
powders when it comes to resisting water.
When do you need to shower?
If you shower before a swim, your skin being
wet will mean it’ll absorb less chlorine. Wash
thoroughly afterwards too although.
Be warned!, using very hot water will strip away
your skin’s natural oils.
Turn down the heat and go for a moisturizing
shower cream before patting your skin dry. It’s
then wise to work in your lotion straightaway –
by moisturizing when your skin is still moist you’ll
help the product to soak in better.