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PE-3 Swimming

Module
3
WATER SAFETY AND WATER SURVIVAL
Introduction
Did you have a good break? We hope you are
ready for the third module of our course. Here,
you will learn the basic water safety tips and skills
Outcomes:
on how to survive in the water. Swimming is a At the end of this module, you will
great recreational sport that can be enjoyed by be able to:
people of all ages. But it’s really important you to 1. Learn and discuss the
know how to be safe and survive while you’re in importance of water safety.
the water. In this module, we will offer these 2. Explain the difference between
important swimming safety tips you should be swimming in a pool and swimming
aware of before you head out to the pool or beach. in open water.
3. Enumerate the water safety
survival 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.
 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

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PE-3 Swimming

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 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
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.

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PE-3 Swimming

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.
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:

 Spot the dangers

 Take safety advice
 Don’t go alone
 Learn how to help

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PE-3 Swimming

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 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

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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.

1. Drownproofing Method

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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 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

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PE-3 Swimming

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.

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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PE-3 Swimming

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

__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________.

Suggested Reading
 Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton

References

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 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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