Swimming

Here are some things to consider doing. Some items may not be applicable to you.

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• Be aware that a child can lose consciousness within approx. 2 minutes in water and drown within approx. 6 minutes

Before:

• Don’t take anything you won’t need and don’t want to lose, e.g., some items in your wallet
• Avoid areas where boats, jet ski’s, etc. might operate it’s very difficult for operators of boats, jet ski’s, etc. to see swimmers

While swimming:

• Never dive into water if you don’t know the depth or if you know it’s shallow

Bay beaches:

• Ask lifeguards, visitor information center, etc.:
  • Is water polluted?
• Ensure a lifeguard is on duty nearby

Ocean beaches:

Before:

• Ask lifeguards, visitor information center, etc.:
  • Is water polluted?
  • Are rip currents common?
• Ensure a lifeguard is on duty nearby
• Be prepared for rip currents

During:

If you feel yourself being pulled out to sea:

• Don’t panic
• Go with the flow
• If able, swim parallel to the beach, not towards the beach
• If there are lifeguards in the area, wave your arm(s) back and forth above your head

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