Water Safety

Hi Everyone!

This summer I am working as a lifeguard at a apartment building pool. So far it has been fun, and I've met a lot of really interesting people. The part that I like the most is having the opportunity to teach people about water safety. I've been swimming since I was very young, and am now a certified lifeguard, swimming instructor, and Emergency First Aid instructor, so I know a lot about the subject! Here are the two most common things that I explain to people:

Lifejackets, PFDs, swim vests, and pool toys

While they all serve vaguely the same purpose, there is a big difference between these four items.

Lifejackets are a flotation device that will turn an unconscious person from face down to face up in the water. They have a flap on the back that will support an unconscious person's head, allowing them to breath. This is what I would recommend to a parent if they ask what sort of floatation device they should buy for their child.

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) are similar to lifejackets, but do not turn over an unconscious person as easily, and don't have a flap to support an unconscious person's head. They are often worn by adults for boating activities.

Swim vests are often mistaken for lifejackets and PFDs. They look like a lifejacket, but do not have a flap to support an unconscious child's head, and also will not flip an unconscious child onto their back. They are not US Coast Guard approved, and should only be used as a swim aid, not a lifesaving tool.

Pool toys are fun to play on, but can provide a false sense of security to non-swimmers. Kids think that because they are holding onto a floatie or a pool noodle, they can go into deep water that they wouldn't normally swim in. The problem is that the pool toy is not attached to them, so if they fall off of or let go of it, they may not be able to swim to the wall or the shallow end. Non-swimmers should always wear a lifejacket, even while using pool toys.

And of course, no flotation device can replace adult supervision, and proper swimming lessons. If you'd like to read more about lifejackets and PFDs, check out this article from the Red Cross. And to make sure your child's lifejacket/PFD fits properly, watch this video.

Adult Supervision is a Must!

Some adults think that because a pool has a lifeguard, they no longer need to pay attention to their kids. But this is not true. Lifeguard-to-patron ratios are a bit complicated, but in Ontario a pool with one lifeguard can have up to thirty swimmers in it! When I am on duty as a lifeguard I am constantly scanning, and I never look at the same spot for more than a few seconds. So if you want a dedicated pair of eyes on your child at all times, then you need to be watching them, too.

Most pools do not allow children under twelve in without an adult, and for good reason. Kids take a lot of risks and can be a bit rambunctious, so having an adult with them to keep them in check, and can avoid unnecessary work for the lifeguards. One day at my pool, a bunch of kids decided to have a splashing war. It quickly got out of hand, and was making other swimmers uncomfortable. I stepped in to help settle them down, but most of the parents were sitting off to the side talking to each other and not paying attention to their kids in the pool. It would've been a lot easier to sort out if the parents had been watching and stepped in to help. I'm happy to explain to kids why something is unsafe, but naturally, kids are going to listen to their parents/adults much more than a lifeguard that they've never met before. It is very helpful to the lifeguards if you are watching your kids, and making sure that they follow the rules.