Whether it was an ocean, lake, pond, pool, or bathtub, since I was little I have loved being in the water. Once 60 degrees hit around mid-April, I could actually be found swimming in a T-shirt and shorts.
Summer is now in full force, with recent heat waves and high 90 degree weather. If you weren't holed up in an air-conditioned room these past few weeks, then you were out in some body of water cooling off.
When out enjoying some much needed R&R, it is sometimes easy to forget that the most important part of being in the water is staying safe. Even now, in my 20s, whenever I head anywhere remotely close to a body of water, my mother chides me with her ever famous line of "Don't go swimming alone!"
To be honest, when I was younger I thought this was one of those "mom things" that parents say but are never as dangerous as they seem. However, if you were to read any article of water safety, I can almost guarantee that the first bullet point on it would be to never swim alone. It doesn't matter if it's a pool or an ocean, or if you're an Olympic swimmer — even the most experienced of swimmers can grow tired, suffer cramps, or get caught in a strong current.
The second safety bullet is another one of my mother's favorites — that alcohol and water should never mix. Not only does alcohol impair your judgment, it also changes how quickly the sun affects you. It seems like common sense, but alcohol is a factor in half of male adolescent drownings. Alcohol also plays a factor in many boating accidents. While alcohol consumption should be avoided on a boat, if you are drinking (and even if you are not) it's important to be wearing a life jacket. Recent statistics from the Massachusetts' Department of Public Health show that in 9 out of 10 boating accident deaths, the deceased was not wearing a life jacket.
Looking back, I'm thankful that my mother was so vigilant about watching and instructing me. Most importantly, when I was younger, she was always within reach — even if I was strapped into my yellow tube bathing suit. Sadly, the second leading cause of accidental death in children 1 to 4 is drowning. All it would've taken was a few seconds for something to have gone wrong that could have seriously injured or killed me as a child. The surest way to avoid accidents is to be within reach of young children, in any amount of water. You should also know your child's capability in the water. Make sure that both you and your children know how to swim, and start teaching them safety tips at a young age.
So, you're now swimming with a friend, alcohol-free, while supervising your children if you have any — what else is important? It may seem counter intuitive, but the heat that drives you to the water can be a safety issue. High temperatures outside can lead to dehydration and fatigue, making swimming dangerous. Also, if you're swimming in the ocean or not lucky enough to have a heated pool, the water temperature can be dangerous. If the water is cold enough to cause shivering or numbness, you should get out immediately, since hypothermia can rapidly set in.
Summer is most definitely here, and I hope everyone can safely enjoy the water. So indulge me for a few more words of wisdom that could rival my mother's. Swim in bodies of water that you know and where supervision is present. If you tire while swimming, try to signal someone or float on your back until fatigue or cramping subsides. When stuck in a current, make sure to swim parallel to get back to the shore.
Finally, and maybe because I've seen Jaws one too many times, if you notice something in the water, do not investigate it! Swim to shore, and swim to shore quickly.
• • •
Tara Melillo is a summer intern with the town of North Andover's Health Department.
Water Safety Tips
Never swim alone.
Take swimming lessons; it's never too late to learn the skill, and it can save your life.
Never swim after consuming alcohol.
Watch your children when they are in the water! Even when lifeguards are present, the kids are YOUR responsibility first and foremost.
When on watercraft, always wear a life preserver.
Never drive watercraft unless you have completed a safety course.
Before diving into water, know its depth.
Never dive head first into water less than five feet deep.
Remember the life saving credo if you see someone struggling in the water: Row. Throw. Go. Use a boat first, then if that is not handy, throw something to help (a rope, something floatable, a long stick), and only as a last resort enter the water.
In a water-related emergency, call 911 first, then try to help.
