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.