WHAT AR E T HE

POTENTIAL H AZ Z ARDS
IN SWI MM I NG ?
 HA ZA RD S I N
SWIMM I NG PO O L
AND H OW TO
AVO ID TH E M
HARMF U L P O O L
CL EA N S I N G
M AT ER I A L S
THE CHEMICALS USED TO KEEP POOLS CLEAN AND SAFE
CAN BE DANGEROUSLY TOXIC IN HIGH AMOUNTS.
CHLORINE, FOR EXAMPLE, CAN DRY AND IRRITATE SKIN
AS WELL AS AGGRAVATE ASTHMA. THESE CHEMICALS CAN
ALSO KILL THE BODY'S NATURALLY BENEFICIAL
BACTERIA IF WATER IS SWALLOWED, POTENTIALLY
CAUSING DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS AND LOWERED IMMUNITY.
TO AVOID THE CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION DANGERS OF
SWIMMING POOLS:
Keep chemical treatments at the proper level.
 Do not increase chemical treatments to compensate for a dirty pool. Follow
instructions carefully when treating a pool. 
Keep pool chemicals properly stored and out of reach of children to avoid
accidental poisonings. 
Store chemicals in a cool, dry place to avoid landscape contamination 
 ELECTRICAL EXPOSURE
Both water and chlorine are excellent
conductors of electricity, making
swimming pools very hazardous in unsafe
electrical conditions. To avoid
the risk of electrical shock when using
a swimming pool:
Do not keep ungrounded electrical
equipment - stereos, grills, lawn
equipment, etc. - near the pool.
Use only ground circuit fault
interrupter (GCFI) outlets in the
pool area.
Stay out of the pool during lightning
storms.
RIS K O F DR O WN I N G This is the most obv
i
but just as dangerou ous of the pool hazards,
s
aware of. For parent and important to be
s
ensuring they are pr of young children,
o
trained in swimmer’s perly supervised or
essential. safety and pool safe
ty is
Remember to never sw
children to swim alo im alone or allow
Always supervise youne .
pool, even if they k ng children near the
n ow
If you want your you how to swim.
able to enjoy the po ng children to be
sure floaties are pr ol, be
child before they en operly secured to the
you are close by to ter the pool and that
Never leave children supervise.
alone near water
 DI V I N G
ARE YOU A F
AND CAN
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OARD

If so, you could be at serious risk of neck, back, or head injury. This
is another one of those swimming pool hazards that is best to avoid. If
you’re not an experienced diver, perhaps think twice before diving head
first off the diving board. Take a few precautionary “practice jumps”
to get a feel for your trajectory as well as for the force you’ll be
jumping in at. If you’re nervous, ask someone more experienced for
pointers or read up on best practices for using a diving board.
HAZARDS IN OPEN
WATER
 LIMITED VISIBILITY

WATER IN LAKES AND PONDS CAN BE

MURKY, HIDING HAZARDS SUCH AS
ROCKS, LOGS AND UNEVEN SURFACES.
LIMITED VISIBILITY CAN ALSO MAKE IT
DIFFICULT TO SEE IF A CHILD FALLS
IN. IF LIFEGUARDS ARE PRESENT, ASK
ABOUT THE SAFEST AREA TO SWIM. WHEN
ENTERING UNFAMILIAR WATER, GO IN
FEET FIRST AND WADE OUT SLOWLY.
UNLIKE A POOL, OPEN WATER RARELY DEPTH,
HAS DEPTH MARKINGS, MAKING IT
DIFFICULT TO KNOW IF KIDS ARE DIST A NC E AN D
GETTING INTO WATER THAT IS OVER
THEIR HEADS. WHEN SWIMMING IN DR OP -O FF S
OPEN WATER, IT CAN ALSO BE HARD
TO PERCEIVE DISTANCE FROM THE
SHORE. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE THERE
MAY BE A GRADUAL SLOPE AS YOU
ENTER THE WATER NEAR SHORE,
THERE MIGHT BE A SUDDEN DROP-OFF
FURTHER OUT. WHEN LOOKING FOR
SAFE PLACE TO SWIM, CHOOSE A
DESIGNATED SWIMMING AREA AND
CHECK FOR SIGNS WARNING ABOUT
POTENTIAL HAZARDS.
CURRENTS AND TIDES Currents in rivers, creeks and
streams can be fast-moving and
unpredictable. While some strong
currents such as rapids are visible,
others can flow under the water’s
surface. In oceans or lakes, waves
and rip currents can be dangerous.
Families should avoid swimming at
unsupervised beaches or in areas
not designated for swimming.
Before allowing kids to swim in open
water, make sure they know how to
deal with a crashing wave and
escape a rip tide or strong current.
 OPEN WATER IS USUALLY
COLDER THAN WATER IN A
POOL, WHICH CAN AFFECT A
CHILD’S SWIMMING ABILITY.
WHAT’S MORE, FALLING INTO
COLD WATER CAN RESULT IN
SHOCK, WHICH CAN LEAD TO

WATER TEMPERATURE PANIC AND EVEN DROWNING.

WHEN PARTICIPATING IN
BOATING OR OTHER
RECREATIONAL WATER
ACTIVITIES, FAMILIES SHOULD
REMEMBER TO DRESS FOR THE
WATER TEMPERATURE, RATHER
THAN THE AIR TEMPERATURE,
AND TO ALWAYS WEAR A U.S.
COAST GUARD-APPROVED LIFE
VEST.
 WEAT HE R AN D
SEA SO NA L
DIFF E RE NC ES

CHANGES IN THE WEATHER CAN MAKE OPEN WATER MORE HAZARDOUS. HEAVY
RAINS AND FLOODING CAN CREATE STRONG CURRENTS AND RAPIDLY CHANGE
THE DEPTH AND CLARITY OF WATER. FAMILIES SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE OF
MAN-MADE STORM CHANNELS AND RESERVOIRS THAT CAN BE EMPTY ONE
MINUTE AND FULL OF WATER THE NEXT. IF YOU ARE PLANNING AN OUTING
THAT INVOLVES OPEN WATER, CHECK THE WEATHER AND WATER CONDITIONS
BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME AND AGAIN WHEN YOU ARRIVE. STAY ALERT FOR
CHANGES WHILE YOU ARE ON SITE AND ALWAYS STAY OUT OF THE WATER IF
YOU HEAR THUNDER OR SEE LIGHTNING.
RULES
IN

SWIMMING
 1)Always follow the lifeguard’s directions. He/she
knows better .
 2) Always follow your local pool’s rules.
 3) Don’t run over the pool deck, walk instead. 4)
Don’t dive without proper supervision by an
experienced swimmer or coach. 
5) Avoid going to the pool if you have the flu, open
SWIMMING POOL wounds or warts

RULES 6)Wear a swim cap over your hair

First of all, it protects your hair from chlorine and
other pool chemicals.
Second, it avoids those wooly hair aggregates at the
bottom of the pool, and it also keeps the pool’s
filters clean..  
7)Only wear your swimsuit at the pool. Don’t go to
the pool with a suit or shorts you have worn all
day.  8) Don’t enter the pool while being dirty.
Always shower off first. The pool is not your
bathtub..
 1. Never swim alone.
2. Get comfortable in open water.
3. Know the conditions.
4. Understand currents.
RULES IN OPEN 5. Stay calm.
WATER 6. Check your surroundings.    
7. Take a break.
8. Know your underwater creatures.
9. Have a plan.
10. Choose the right equipment.
11. Relax and have fun.
LIFE SAVING TECHNIQUES
 CPR
If someone has a heart attack, performing CPR can make the difference between the life and
death. When the heart stops during a cardiac arrest, CPR manually pumps blood and oxygen to
the brain and organs to keep the victim alive until emergency medical help arrives. Proper CPR
training and certification course is the best way to learn this technique, but even without it you
can perform CPR chest compressions. Press on the victim’s chest at least two inches down, at
the rate of two compressions per second, or 120 compressions per minute. Continue without
stopping until emergency assistance can take over.
 AED
IN ADDITION TO PERFORMING CPR DURING A CARDIAC
ARREST, KNOWING HOW TO USE AN AED (AUTOMATED
EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR) IS A CRITICAL SKILL TO
HAVE. WHILE CPR KEEPS BLOOD FLOWING, IT DOES
NOT RESTART THE HEART. TO DO THIS, AND AED IS
NEEDED. THESE DEVICES ARE AVAILABLE IN PUBLIC
AREAS LIKE SHOPPING CENTERS AND AIRPORTS.
CERTIFICATION IS RECOMMENDED, HOWEVER EVEN
WITHOUT FORMAL AED TRAINING THE VOICE
AUTOMATED MACHINE WILL WALK RESCUERS THROUGH
THE STEPS NEEDED TO USE IT ON A CARDIAC ARREST
VICTIM.
 CHECK FOR SIGNS OF LIFE

IN ANY EMERGENCY IT’S IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW TO CHECK

A VICTIM FOR SIGNS OF LIFE, INCLUDING BREATHING AND A
PULSE. FIRST, MAKE SURE THE AREA IS SAFE FOR YOU TO
ATTEND TO THE VICTIM. NEXT, KNEEL NEXT TO THEM AND ASK
LOUDLY, “ARE YOU OK?” IF THEY DO NOT RESPOND LOOK FOR
THE RISE AND FALL OF THEIR CHEST TO INDICATE BREATHING
AND CHECK THEIR PULSE BY PLACING YOUR INDEX AND MIDDLE
FINGERS ON THEIR INNER WRIST OR ON THE SIDE OF THEIR
NECK JUST UNDER THE JAW.
 WHEN A VICTIM IS BLEEDING HEAVILY IT’S
BANDAGE IMPORTANT TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL RIGHT
AWAY TO PREVENT FURTHER BLOOD LOSS. IF
THEY ARE AVAILABLE, PUT GLOVES ON BEFORE
ASSISTING THE VICTIM. HAVE THEM LIE DOWN
AND COVER THEM WITH A BLANKET. ELEVATE
THE INJURED AREA AND USE A CLEAN CLOTH
OR BANDAGE TO COVER THE WOUND AND APPLY
CONTINUOUS PRESSURE FOR 20 MINUTES
BEFORE CHECKING TO SEE IF THE BLEEDING
HAS STOPPED. IF THE BLEEDING HAS NOT
STOPPED, APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ARTERY,
EITHER INSIDE THE ARM BETWEEN THE ELBOW
THE ARMPIT ARM OR UPPER BODY INJURIES,
OR BEHIND THE KNEE OR IN THE GROIN FOR
LEG INJURIES. APPLY PRESSURE WITH ONE
HAND WHILE CONTINUING TO KEEP PRESSURE
ON THE WOUND WITH THE OTHER HAND.
PERFORMING THE HEIMLICH MANEUVER HEI ML IC H
IS THE RECOMMENDED TREATMENT FOR
CHOKING VICTIMS. STANDING BEHIND MA NE UV ER
THEM, DELIVER FIVE BLOWS TO THE
MIDDLE OF THEIR BACK WITH THE
HEEL OF YOUR HAND. IF THAT DOES
NOT DISLODGE THE STUCK OBJECT,
WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND THEIR
CHEST, AND MAKE A FIST BETWEEN
THE BOTTOM OF THEIR RIB-CAGE AND
THEIR NAVEL. PERFORM FIVE RAPID
ABDOMINAL THRUSTS, PULLING BACK
AND UPWARD ON THEIR BODY AS IF
YOU WERE TRYING TO LIFT THEM OFF
THE GROUND.
 FIRST AID FOR
BURNING
Minor burns should be treated by running cold
water on the area for 10 minutes then lightly
applying a cool, moist compress to the area. Do not
apply creams or dressings to the area. Give the
victim Tylenol or Advil if available. Severe burns
require immediate medical attention by calling 911.
 SAVE FROM
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF
ACCIDENTAL DEATH, DROWNING CAN HAPPEN DROWNING
EVEN IN SHALLOW BODIES OF WATER. THE
PHRASE “REACH, THROW, ROW, GO” IS USED
TO REMEMBER THE TECHNIQUE USED TO SAVE A
PERSON WHO IS DROWNING:REACH: LIE FLAT
N THE GROUND AND USE A BRANCH OR OAR TO
EXTEND YOUR REACH IF NEEDED.THROW: IF A
SAFETY RING IS AVAILABLE, TOSS IT TO THE
VICTIM.ROW: GET A BOAT TO REACH THE
VICTIM IF NEEDED. GO: AS A LAST RESORT,
SWIM OUT TO GET THE VICTIM. USE A TOWEL
OR T-SHIRT TO HELP TOW THEM TO SHORE.
 AL FL OATING
PERSON
DEV IC ES
PERSONAL FLOATATION DEVICES, ALSO
KNOW AS LIFE JACKETS, LIFE
PRESERVERS, AND PFDS, COME IN A
VARIETY OF SHAPES AND SIZES – THEY
EVEN MAKELIFE JACKETS FOR DOGS!
DIFFERENT PFDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR
DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER-RELATED
ACTIVITIES, SO UNDERSTANDING EACH
DESIGN’S INTENDED USE IS EXTREMELY
IMPORTANT. THE COAST GUARD CLASSIFIES
PFDS INTO FIVE MAIN CATEGORIES, EACH
WITH UNIQUE PROPERTIES AND INTENDED
USES.
 AS S I P FD S:
CL MO RE
BI GG ER A ND
BU OY A NT
THESE ARE ALSO KNOWN AS OFFSHORE LIFE
JACKETS AND ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP AN
INDIVIDUAL AFLOAT AND FACE UP FOR EXTENDED
PERIODS. THEY PROVIDE 22 POUNDS OF
BUOYANCY, THE MOST OF ANY PFD, AND ARE
DESIGNED FOR USE IN DEEP, OPEN WATERS
WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE IN THE WATER
FOR A SIGNIFICANT DURATION BEFORE HELP
ARRIVES. CLASS I LIFEJACKETS ARE MORE
BULKY THAN THE OTHER PFDS, BUT ARE THE
MOST LIKELY TO KEEP AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON
FACE UP IN THE WATER FOR THE LONGEST
PERIOD OF TIME.
 I PF DS : T H E
CLAS S I AR D
U ST RY ST AN D
IND ALSO KNOWN AS NEAR-SHORE BUOYANT VESTS, ARE
THE MOST COMMON FLOATATION DEVICES. ALSO
REFERRED TO AS “CLASSIC” LIFE JACKETS, THESE
ARE THE TYPE MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH AS
THEY’RE FOUND ON MOST RECREATIONAL WATERCRAFT.
THEY PROVIDE 15.5 POUNDS OF BUOYANCY AND MAY
TURN AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON FACE UP. THEIR USE
IS SUGGESTED IN CALM INLAND WATER WHERE ANY
RESCUE WOULD BE RELATIVELY SWIFT. CLASS II
LIFEJACKETS COME IN A WIDE VARIETY OF SHAPES
AND SIZES DESIGNED FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND
ADULTS.
 S II I PF DS :
CLAS I DS
LO AT AT IO N A
F
ALSO CALLED FLOATATION AIDS, THESE PFDS COME
IN A VARIETY OF SHAPES AND SIZES AND ARE
DESIGNED FOR USE IN CALM, INLAND WATERS WHERE
RESCUE WILL BE SWIFT. CLASS III PFDS WILL MOST
LIKELY NOT TURN AN UNCONSCIOUS PERSON OVER.
THEY COME IN MANY DIFFERENT VARIETIES DESIGNED
FOR VARIOUS BOATING ACTIVITIES. THEY PROVIDE
15.5 POUNDS OF BUOYANCY.
 S S IV PF DS :
CL A I DS
T HR OW AB LE A
VARIOUS THROWABLE FLOTATION DEVICES COMPRISE THE
CLASS IV CATEGORY. THESE PFDS DO NOT REPLACE
WEARABLE PFDS, BUT ARE DESIGNED TO BE USED FOR
EXTRA SUPPORT OR AID SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT WEARING
THEIR LIFEJACKET. COMMON TYPES OF THROWABLE PFDS
INCLUDE BOAT CUSHIONS, HORSESHOE BUOYS, RING
BUOYS, AND OTHERS. THESE DEVICES ARE ONLY USEFUL
IF THEY ARE KEPT READILY ACCESSIBLE TO BE THROWN
QUICKLY IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. CLASS IV
PFDS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN, NON-SWIMMERS,
OR ANYONE UNCONSCIOUS.
 A SS V PF DS :
CL V IC ES
IA LTY D E
SPEC

THESE PFDS ARE MOSTLY USED IN OCCUPATIONAL

SETTINGS. THESE INCLUDE DECK SUITS, WORK VESTS,
AND OTHER SPECIALLY DESIGNED PFDS. THEIR USE IN
ANY TYPE OF RECREATIONAL SETTING WOULD BE HIGHLY
UNLIKELY.
 ATA BL E LIFE
INFL
JAC KE T
INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS ARE DESIGNED TO TAKE UP
LESS SPACE AND BE LESS BULKY THAN TRADITIONAL
PFDS. THESE DEVICES RELY ON INTERNAL CHAMBERS
THAT, WHEN INFLATED, PROVIDE BUOYANCY. THERE IS A
WIDE VARIETY OF COAST GUARD-APPROVED DEVICES THAT
MEET THE DEFINITION OF AN INFLATABLE FLOTATION
DEVICE. SOME OF THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS OF AN
INFLATABLE FLOATATION DEVICE INCLUDE BUOYANCY
LEVELS, INFLATING MECHANISM, IN-WATER
CHARACTERISTICS, AND MORE. WHEN DECIDING TO USE AN
INFLATABLE PFD MAKE SURE YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE
MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND THAT THE DEVICE IS
THE APPROPRIATE SIZE.