WATER SAFETY & RESOURCES

 

  • Water Safety: Protecting Lives in and Around Water

    Water can be a source of fun, fitness, and connection—but it also requires responsibility. Drowning is preventable, and with the right strategies, we can keep our communities safe. Use this guide to learn how to reduce water-related risks at home, in pools, and in natural water settings.

Learn about Water safety

  • 10 Essential Water Safety Tips

    1. Make Learning to Swim and Water Safety a Family Affair
      Enroll yourself and your children in age-appropriate swim lessons to build confidence and essential survival skills. Reinforce water safety rules and encourage regular practice in safe, supervised environments.

    2. Always Supervise Children Near Water
      Never leave children unattended near pools, lakes, bathtubs, or any body of water, even for a moment. Designate a responsible adult to supervise closely and constantly when children are in or near water.

    3. Use Life Jackets, Not Floaties
      Ensure all non-swimmers and young children wear properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, especially near open water. Floaties, noodles, and inflatable toys are not safety devices.

    4. Swim in Designated Areas Supervised by Lifeguards
      Choose swimming spots that are monitored by trained lifeguards and marked safe for public use. Lifeguards are equipped to respond quickly in emergencies.

    5. Know the Rules of the Pool
      Establish clear safety rules such as “no running,” “no diving in shallow areas,” and “swim with a buddy.” Install secure barriers around home pools or hot tubs to restrict unsupervised access.

    6. Know First Aid, CPR, and Emergency Response
      Get trained in CPR and basic first aid—it can save a life. Courses are available online and in-person through the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, and local organizations.

    7. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs Around Water
      Alcohol and drugs impair coordination and judgment. Avoid them before and during swimming, boating, or supervising children around water.

    8. Understand and Respect Water Hazards
      Be aware of rip currents, sudden drop-offs, and underwater obstacles. If caught in a rip current, remain calm, swim parallel to the shore, and then angle back toward land.

    9. Secure Pools and Hot Tubs at Home
      Use four-sided fencing with self-latching gates. Install pool alarms and use covers when pools or hot tubs are not in use. Remove ladders from above-ground pools when unsupervised.

    10. Teach Water Safety Through Education and Conversation
      Start early. Talk to children about water rules using age-appropriate stories, games, and visuals. Reinforce habits like asking permission before approaching water and always swimming with a buddy in fun, engaging ways.

  • Keep your home and neighborhood safe with clear rules and secure environments:

    Secure Pools and Hot Tubs

    • Build a four-sided fence that’s at least four feet tall, separating the pool from the house.

    • Use self-closing, self-latching gates.

    • Remove all toys from the pool area when not in use to avoid attracting children.

    • Lock access points (like doors or gates) after swim time ends.

    Supervise Closely

    • Always assign a designated Water Watcher who supervises children around pools and bathtubs.

    • Avoid distractions like phones, books, or alcohol during supervision.

    • Even with lifeguards present, caregivers should remain vigilant.

    • Assign specific adults to specific children during group gatherings.

    Life Jackets for Residential Use

    • Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for young or weak swimmers—even in pools.

    • Avoid reliance on floaties, noodles, or air-filled toys; they are not safety devices.

  • Natural environments pose unique risks—here’s how to stay safe outdoors:

    Wear a Life Jacket

    • Life jackets should be worn by children and non-swimmers during all activities in or near natural water.

    • Even confident swimmers benefit from life jackets in open water.

    Know the Hazards

    • Lakes, rivers, and oceans can have:

      • Rip currents

      • Sudden drop-offs

      • Underwater rocks or vegetation

      • Low visibility

    • Check the weather forecast before heading out—conditions can change quickly.

    Avoid Breath-Holding Underwater

    • Do not hyperventilate or engage in underwater breath-holding games.

    • These behaviors can lead to hypoxic blackout, causing unconsciousness and drowning.

    Avoid Alcohol and Risky Behavior

    • Alcohol impairs your ability to judge distance, strength, and danger—never swim or boat while under the influence.

    • Avoid alcohol when supervising children near open water.

  • Empower families and community members with tools and knowledge:

    Learn to Swim and Teach Others

    Know CPR and First Aid

    • Learn CPR—it can save a life while waiting for emergency services.

    • CPR and first aid classes are available through the American Red Cross and American Heart Association.

    Use the Buddy System

    • Always swim with a buddy, especially in open or unsupervised areas.

    • Choose swim sites with lifeguards when possible.

    • The buddy system is especially helpful for individuals with medical conditions like epilepsy or heart disorders.

    Take Extra Precautions for Medical Conditions

    • Be aware of conditions like:

      • Epilepsy – consider showers instead of baths, and always supervise near water.

      • Heart conditions, autism, sensory or balance disorders – may increase drowning risk.

    • Customize supervision strategies based on individual needs.

    Consider Medication Side Effects

    • Some medications can impair balance, coordination, or awareness.

    • Avoid swimming if medication affects your physical or mental ability to stay safe in water.

Water Safety Resources

  • AAP 2019 Policy Statement – Detailed recommendations on drowning prevention from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
  • American Red Cross – The Red Cross believes that by working together to improve water competency—which includes swimming skills, water smarts, and helping others—water activities can be safer…and just as much fun. Check out the many resources they offer to boost your skills and awareness.
  • Association of Aquatic Professionals – Committed to helping prevent drownings nationwide through education and training; learning to RESPECT the water and prevent tragedies is within our reach.
  • Drowning Chain of Survival – Five steps guiding drowning prevention, rescue, and recovery efforts.
  • HealthyChildren.org – The American Academy of Pediatrics’ parent site with water safety advice (including resources in Spanish).
  • International Water Safety Foundation – A nonprofit raising drowning awareness while bringing basic swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills to children.
  • Safe Kids Worldwide – Works to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries, including drowning.
  • Water Safety USA – A roundtable of national nonprofit and governmental organizations providing drowning prevention and water safety programs.
  • YMCA – The YMCA’s Safety Around Water program teaches basic swimming and water safety skills to kids of all ages.
  • ZAC Foundation – Established to prepare children and families for a lifetime of water safety; strengthens pool safety legislation and funds advocacy, education, and programming in Zachary’s memory.

Water Safety Glossary of Terms

This is the Diversity In Aquatics’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Glossary of Terms adapted from the Foster School of Business.

See something missing? Would you like to suggest an edit to one of these definitions? If so, kindly fill out THIS FORM to provide comments and suggested edits, and we will update the list periodically.

Publications

This is a resource list of publications produced by Diversity In Aquatic members and advocates for sharing of the history, diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice in aquatics.