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University of Eastern Philippines PE-3 Swimming

Module 3
WATER SAFETY AND WATER SURVIVAL

Introduction

Did you have a good break? We hope you are ready for Outcomes:
the third module of our course. Here, you will learn the At the end of this module, you will be
basic water safety tips and skills on how to survive in able to:
the water. Swimming is a great recreational sport that 1. Learn and discuss the importance
can be enjoyed by people of all ages. But it’s really of water safety.

important you to know how to be safe and survive 2. Explain the difference between
swimming in a pool and swimming in
while you’re in the water. In this module, we will offer
open water.
these important swimming safety tips you should be
3. Enumerate the water safety survival
aware of before you head out to the pool or beach.
skills.

BASIC WATER SAFETY TIPS

When the weather turns warm, everyone wants to be in or around the water. Hanging out at
the pool or the beach on a hot day is a great way to beat the heat. Between having fun and
checking out the lifeguards, most people don’t think much about water safety — but they
should. For people between the ages of 5 and 24, drowning is the second leading cause of
accidental death. It doesn’t have to be that way, though. Most water-related accidents can be
avoided by knowing how to stay safe and following a few simple guidelines.

Swimming Smarts

➢ "Buddy up!" -That’s what swimming

instructors say. Always swim with a partner, every
time - whether you’re swimming in a backyard
pool or sin a lake. Even experienced swimmers can
become tired or get muscle cramps, which might
make it difficult to get out of the water. When
people swim together, they can help each other or
go for help in case of an emergency.

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➢ Get skilled- Speaking of emergencies, it’s

good to be prepared. Learning some life-
saving skills, such as CPR and rescue
techniques, can help you save a life. A
number of organizations offer free classes
for both beginning and experienced
swimmers and boaters. Check with your
YMCA or YWCA, local hospital, or chapter
of the Red Cross.
➢ Know your limits- Swimming can be a lot
of fun — and you might want to stay in the water as long as possible. If you’re not a
good swimmer or you’re just learning to swim, don’t go in water that’s so deep you can’t
touch the bottom and don’t try to keep up with skilled swimmers. That can be hard,
especially when your friends are challenging you — but it’s a pretty sure bet they’d
rather have you safe and alive.
If you are a good swimmer and have had lessons, keep an eye on friends who aren’t as
comfortable or as skilled as you are. If it seems like they (or you) are getting tired or a
little uneasy, suggest that you take a break from swimming for a while.
➢ Swim in safe areas only- It’s a good idea to swim only in places that are supervised by
a lifeguard. No one can anticipate changing
ocean currents, riptides, sudden storms, or
other hidden dangers. In the event that
something does go wrong, lifeguards are
trained in rescue techniques. Swimming in an
open body of water (like a river, lake, or ocean)
is different from swimming in a pool. You need
more energy to handle the currents and other
conditions in the open water.
If you do find yourself caught in a current, don’t panic and don’t fight the current. Swim
with the current, gradually trying to make your way back to shore as you do so. Even a
very good swimmer who tries to swim against a strong current will get worn out. If you’re
going to be swimming in an open body of water, it’s a great idea to take swimming
lessons that provide you with tips on handling unexpected hazards. Some areas with
extremely strong currents are off limits when it comes to swimming. Do your research so
you know where not to swim.
➢ Be careful about diving- Diving injuries can
cause permanent spinal cord damage,
paralysis, and sometimes even death. Protect
yourself by only diving in areas that are
known to be safe, such as the deep end of a
supervised pool. If an area is posted with "No

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Diving" or "No Swimming" signs, pay attention to them. A "No Diving" sign means the
water isn’t safe for a head-first entry. Even if you plan to jump in feet first, check the
waters depth before you leap to make sure there are no hidden rocks or other hazards.
Lakes or rivers can be cloudy and hazards may be hard to see.
➢ Watch the sun- Sun reflecting off the water or off sand can intensify the burning rays.
You might not feel sunburned when the water feels cool and refreshing, but the pain will
catch up with you later — so remember to reapply sunscreen frequently and cover up
much of the time.
➢ Drink plenty of fluids- It’s easy to get dehydrated in the sun, particularly if you’re active
and sweating. Keep up with fluids — particularly water — to prevent
dehydration. Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or nausea can be signs of
dehydration and overheating.

➢ Getting too cool- Speaking of temperature, it’s possible to get too

cool. How? Staying in very cool water for long periods can lower your body temperature.
A temperature of 70° Fahrenheit (20° Celsius) is positively balmy on land, but did you
know that water below 70° Fahrenheit will feel cold to most swimmers? Your body
temperature drops far more quickly in water than it does on land. And if you’re
swimming, you’re using energy and losing body heat even faster than if you were
keeping still. Monitor yourself when swimming in cold water and stay close to shore. If
feel your body start to shiver or your muscles cramp up, get out of the water quickly; it
doesn’t take long for hypothermia to set in.
➢ Alcohol and water never mix- Alcohol is involved in numerous water-related injuries
and up to half of all water-related deaths. The statistics for teenage guys
are particularly scary: One half of all adolescent male drownings are tied to
alcohol use.

A respect for the water and an understanding of associated dangers are necessary for safety
just about everywhere. General rules and routines should be borne in mind at all times.

Swimming in a Pool

a) Swimming pool users should be aware of water depths indicated on the pool sides.
b) There should be no running on the poolside; wet floors can be slippery and consequent
falls can cause injury.
c) Swim hats should be worn by those with long hair, or the hair should be tied securely so
that it cannot cover the face and especially the mouth.

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d) Sweets or chewing gum should be avoided. It is dangerous to enter the water with these
in the mouth. e) Jewelry should not be worn. It can be dangerous if the wearer is in close
contact with other people in the water.
e) After a meal, food should be allowed to digest for at least 1.5 hours.
f) If goggles are worn, they should fit snugly and should be constructed of safe material
and conform to BS 5883-1996.
g) Floats and other buoyancy aids should be treated with care and not thrown about.
Inflatable aids should be checked frequently for damage or malfunction. Beginners using
them should remain in a safe depth of water.
h) Care must be taken when diving to ensure that the entry area is clear of swimmers and
obstructions and that the water is sufficiently deep.
i) Diving entries for swimming should be of the plunge style. They should be shallow dives
performed from a firm stance into a clear area of water. For early practices the depth of
water should be at least 1.8 metres. Only after proficiency has been gained can special
racing type entries, as required by competitive swimmers, be made into shallower water,
determined by the depth of water at the starting end of the pool and never less than
1.5m deep.
j) Diving as a sporting form and used in competition requires special training which
usually takes place in diving clubs. Entries are made from purpose-built platforms and
springboards with the body in a vertical position requiring a water depth of up to 5
metres.
k) Those responsible for the use of the pool should be familiar with the Normal Operating
Procedure and the Emergency Action Plan which all pool operators are required to have
in place.

Swimming in Open Water

Not all swimming takes place in the comparatively safe environment of a swimming pool and
there are many water activities for which swimming should be a prerequisite. For those who
use open water the following safety code should be observed.
• DO NOT swim alone unless competent help is at hand.
• DO NOT bathe in areas where red flags or other warnings are displayed.
• DO NOT fool about at the sides of rivers, lakes, canals or quays.
• DO NOT venture on frozen ponds.
• DO NOT float out to sea on inflatables; tides can be treacherous even for strong
swimmers.
• DO NOT go out in small boats without wearing a life-jacket and telling somebody where
you are going and when you are due back.

Follow the Water Safety Code:

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• Spot the dangers

• Take safety advice
• Don’t go alone
• Learn how to help
Always wear footwear to prevent injury, discarding it only when swimming. Wear a brightly
coloured swim hat to retain body heat and so you can be easily seen. Have shelter and first aid
equipment available.

You may pause for a while. Slowly stretch your muscles to refresh yourself. And
enjoy your coffee.

Now let’s proceed.

WATER SAFETY SURVIVAL SKILLS

As one of the leading causes of death in children is

drowning in bodies of water of all proportions
including a tiny padding pool, learning as much as
we can about how to survive potential drowning
could prove a life-saving action for the kids or
yourself. Although it is highly recommended for
children to attend water survival classes as well as
learn to swim as early as possible, we must
remember that adults also at risk when in, on or
besides a body of water.

In order to help people become more aware of what to

do for themselves, a loved one or a complete stranger when faced with a life-threatening
situation in the water, we’ve compiled some of the more vital survival skills. By educating
ourselves about survival skills in water environments, we could make a difference in preventing
ourselves or someone from drowning during a water related accident.

1. Learn to Swim
Although this is probably the most obvious thing
you’ve ever heard, it’s important for each and every
one of us to encourage others to learn to swim.
Contrary to what many people believe, there are way
too many teenagers and adults that are still not
confident in the water. So, whether you’re in your
thirties or you have a couple of kids unprepared for
water-related incidents, making sure yourself or the

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children can swim, could save a life.

2. Stay Calm
I know this might sound ridiculous to say, but if
you do find yourself in a body of water quite
unexpectedly, it would be wise to remain as
calm as you can. And this basic water survival
skill is not just for the unfortunate sole that has
fallen into a lake or river. Anyone thinking of
rescuing a potentially drowning person should
be aware that the individual they are trying to
rescue could actually drag them under water due
to how much they are panicking.

3. Flip & Float

One skill taught in all survival skill classes for water is flipping over and floating in the water.
Although not all people unfamiliar with the water will be aware of, it’s actually quite easy to lay
flat on your back and just float. Of course, one major aspect of this skill with regard to avoiding
getting water in your lungs is to make sure you keep your nose and mouth out of the water as
much as possible.

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1. Drownproofing Method

Introduced by U.S. swimming coach

Fred Lanoue, who worked at the
Georgia Institute of Technology from
1936 to 1964, this simple survival skill
has been taught to thousands over the
years. Mr.Lanoue prescribed the
method based on his belief that we all
have some amount of buoyancy-
allowing us to float in a vertical position. As long as we keep our face submerged in the water-
coming up for breathes when absolutely necessary, we should be able to float indefinitely
using very little energy.

2. Air Bubbles

Buying a
nice new shirt could turn out to be a very wise investment for reasons we had no idea would
surface. If you’re unlucky enough to plunge into a pond on your way home, using your favorite
shirt to trap air bubbles could be a solution. In fact, it’s not unknown for groups of people
stranded in water after a boating accident to employ this system to help them float. There’s
actually plenty of buoyancy that can be created by a pair of jeans, top or another garment in
some water.

3. Clothes Tests
Unfortunately, there are many well-
intentioned parents that although encourage
their children to learn water survival skills,
fail to prepare the kids for real-life
situations. Of course, the likelihood of falling

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into some water in just a pair of swimming trunks is extremely low. With this in mind, it’s
important to either test the kids with how they react with clothes on in a pool or go through the
process yourself. You’ll be amazed at just how much more difficult it can be to deal with a
drowning scenario when fully clothed.

3. Look for Exit

Let’s just say you’ve mastered flipping and floating to help be prepared for a potential
drowning situation, the next thing you should train yourself to do is look for places where you
might exit the water. Apart from exit points at pools like steps, natural environments such as
rivers will require a lot more searching for somewhere to get out of dodge. Anyone that has
come across someone in need of help after slipping into a body of water should also be aware
of this aspect.

4. Be Well Prepared

Apart from splashing around with family and friends whilst on holiday or if you’re lucky enough
to have your own pool- out the back at home, there are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed
in bodies of water. However, as much as it’s important to learn water survival skills, it’s also
crucial to take along gear that could make the difference between a great day out and total
disaster. It goes without saying that a like jacket and possibly one or more rescue bouys are
essential gear to put in the trunk of your car when heading out to the local river for a fun- filled
day in the water.

5. Don’t Jump In

Making sure you don’t go from rescuer to

victim when reacting to a potential problem
when passing a lake or other water
environment is of course something all
heroes will aspire to. The last thing most
water survival experts will say is avoid going
in after someone thrashing about in some
water- especially if they look like they are
really panicking. The best thing to do in these
situations or even when a non-swimmer is
calmly waiting to be rescued is to look for
something that can be used to help them pull
themselves to safety such as some rope or even a long tree branch.

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At this point, let’s stop and see how well you understand water safety and water survival skills
by answering the following self-assessment questions.

Knowledge Check

SAQ 1 – 1

1. What is the importance of water safety? Why is it Important to be Safe

in the water?

SAQ 1 – 2

2. What is the difference between swimming in a pool and swimming in

open water?

3. What are the four parts of the Water Safety code?

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SAQ 1 – 3

4. Enumerate the swimming safety survival skills

SUMMARY

Swimming is a fun activity and a great way to keep cool during the hot summer months, but it’s
really important to know how to stay safe in and around the water. Drowning is swift and silent
— there may be little splashing or cries for help. It can take as few as 20 seconds to sink below
the water and only minutes to drown, but you can survive and stay safe by following those tips
and skills — whether around a pond, lake, river, ocean, or pool.

Feedback/Reflection

Congratulations... Job well done! You’ve managed to accomplish the third module of this

course!

For the last time, share to the class your final insights by completing the following sentence
prompts.

I have learned that

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________.

I still wish to ask my teacher about

____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________.

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Suggested Reading

▪ Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton

References

• The Royal Life Saving Society Australia 1995, Swimming and Lifesaving, 3rd edn, Mosby
Lifeline, Sydney.
• https://francis111291/basic-water-safety-tips
• https://www.rlsscommonwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/RLSS-Survival-
Swimming-Guide.pdf
• https://www.coursehero.com/file/28235982/Swimmingpdf/
• https://www.gearhungry.com/water-safety-survival-skills/

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