Ensuring Aquatic Safety: Comprehensive Pool Safety Education

The temptation of swimming in the water is an instinct that no one can resist. Whether it is jumping into the cool water on a hot summer day or taking a nap in the water after a tiring day at work, the pool can bring a refreshing feeling. Swimming brings great pleasure and health benefits. However, no one can ignore the risks associated with water.

Drowning has become the second leading cause of accidental death in children aged 1-4 years and 10-14 years. According to statistics, 320,000 people die from drowning every year worldwide. This is a very scary number, and don’t think of them as rare accidents that only occur in natural water bodies. Drowning can happen anywhere, including bathtubs and your backyard pool. They are silent and can take people’s lives in just a few minutes. Therefore, it is crucial to instill the concept of safe use of swimming pools in daily life.

Aquatic safety is an issue that everyone needs to understand. It refers to preventive measures and behaviors that reduce the possibility of drowning and resulting injuries in water environments. In the context of your backyard pool, it involves not only improving swimming skills, but also knowledge of water conditions, safety inspections, and more.

To ensure water safety, it is necessary to emphasize the safety of pool facilities:

• Pool design: Designers should fully consider safety factors when designing the depth, shape, and location of the pool. The deck and surrounding walkways should be in good non-slip condition to prevent accidental falls into the water.
• Safety equipment: Whether it is day or night, you'd better ensure that the pool is well lit so that people can see clearly. Life jackets, rescue hoses, and first aid kits should be ready at all times in case of emergency. In addition, studies have shown that installing child safety fences can reduce the risk of drowning by more than three quarters: fences act as physical barriers to prevent children from entering the pool and causing accidental drowning.
• Water temperature: When considering pool safety, one of the most critical factors is water temperature: improper water temperature can cause dangerous physical reactions such as rapid heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, and cramps, which can lead to accidents. For most adults, the recommended swimming temperature is between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. For children, this number is higher, and 82-86 degrees Fahrenheit is a comfortable temperature for them. But don't forget that the most suitable water temperature varies from person to person, depending on factors such as age and physical fitness.
• Pool water quality: When the chemical balance is broken and the water quality is too turbid, pool water with bacteria and algae may irritate the swimmer's respiratory system, eyes and skin, leading to accidents. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the water clear and clean.

The most basic pool safety rule cannot be emphasized enough: never leave children unattended near the pool. Active and attentive supervision is a must. Therefore, you need to designate a water watcher when children are in the water: a responsible adult who will watch the pool at all times to ensure safety. This person should not be distracted by phone calls or small talk: accidents are easy to happen at social parties, because at this time, external distractions are everywhere.

When everyone in the family can swim, the risk of drowning is greatly reduced. Therefore, getting family members to take swimming lessons and acquire certain underwater skills as early as possible can greatly reduce the incidence of accidents.

CPR skills can save lives in critical moments after an accident. You need to make sure family members receive relevant training, even if you are not in a water environment, these skills are crucial.