Hot topics

Whew! It’s gotten hot out there! Taking a dip in the pool or at the beach can help out on these crazy summer days, but don’t forget to be safe. Drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death in people ages 5-24.

Let’s plunge in to water safety. Feet first, of course!

The number one thing you can do to keep yourself safe is to learn how to swim. That goes for teens, adults *and* kids. If you live in or near Raleigh, there are several different options out there for swimming lessons. If you’ve never had lessons before and don’t want to be stuck with the little kids, don’t worry at all! Most places realize that there are young (or old!) adults who’ve not had much experience in the water before, and so separate classes by age. Look for the lessons marked “adult beginner” if you’re 14 or older and are just starting out.

Raleigh Parks and Recreation offers a ton of swim lessons, and they’re pretty reasonable in price as well. If you’re a city resident, it’s typically $45 for a beginner’s class (8 lessons), and if you’re not a Raleigh resident it’s just $10 more. Check out this summer’s schedule to see if you want to sign up for a class at any of the six locations. (Psst! The adult lessons are on page 5, and a couple of the pools have slightly different prices/schedules)

Many of the Triangle’s YMCA facilities also have swim lessons. To find the YMCA closest to you, start out at their website, and check the locations page. Each branch has slightly different offerings, so you’ll want to make sure your branch has a pool and offers lessons. In addition to the Triangle YMCA, there’s an independent YMCA in South Raleigh called the Garner Road Family YMCA. Their website is here, and they’re located at 2245 Garner Rd. Raleigh, NC 27610. Call them up at 919-833-1256 and see how they can help you out.

OK. Once you’ve made sure you can swim, there’re some more things you’ll need to think about.

Buddy up. Don’t swim alone, and make sure that wherever you are has a lifeguard on duty.
Follow the rules. The pool has rules, and they’ll be posted somewhere in the swimming area. Your family should make some rules as well—maybe basing them on how well people swim. If you’re a weak swimmer, or if you don’t know how to swim yet, one of these rules should be to wear a US Coastguard-Approved Personal Flotation Device (um, a lifejacket!) if you’re near water.
Be careful about diving. Diving into too-shallow or unfamiliar water is a huge danger. Teens are more likely than other ages to suffer spinal cord injuries, which can lead to paralysis or death. Only dive where it’s known to be safe—like the deep end of a pool where there’s a lifeguard watching. If you’re going to jump in feet first, make sure you check the water first for hidden rocks or other dangers.
Get out when it’s time. If you’re tired, too far from safety, have had too much sun, or are starting to get cold, it’s time to get out of the water for a while. Get a drink, sit in the shade, dry off, and rest. If it looks like the weather is getting bad, get out immediately. Don’t swim when it’s thundering or if you see lightning.
Swim where it’s safe. If you’ve headed out to swim at the beach, a lake or a river, be extra watchful. Stay where the lifeguards are. Nobody can tell when there might be an unexpected current, storm or other danger. Lifeguards have had specialized training in rescue techniques for just these types of situations.
Sunscreen! When you’re in the water, it’s easier to forget that the sun is pretty hot. Even if it’s cloudy, you can still get burned. Use waterproof sunscreen that’s at least SPF 30, and reapply often. Limit the time you spend in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest, and get in the shade whenever you can. Did you know that
Avoid alcohol. Drinking alcohol or taking any medicine or drug that may impair your coordination or judgment is really bad idea. Alcohol negatively affects your swimming skills, and is involved in fully one half (50%) of adolescent male drownings.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though! Taking these basics into account, you can spend fantastic afternoons in the pool or at the beach, having fun and cooling off.

Enjoy your summer!

Information adapted from KidsHealth and the American Red Cross.