Drowning deaths are on the rise for the first time in decades. While this is cause for alarm, it doesn’t mean you need to cancel your plans for summer fun. 

“Summertime presents many opportunities to be in and around water – from swimming in pools to boating on lakes and splashing in the ocean waves. These activities, while an awful lot of fun, can be quite dangerous without the proper precautions,” said Corri Miller-Hobbs, RN, program coordinator for Safe Kids Virginia at CHoR, part of our Level I pediatric trauma center. “Our safety team at CHoR urges families – and any adults caring for children – to brush up on water safety knowledge and skills. The latest data on drowning deaths underscores how important this is.” 

Essential swimming skills for kids and adults 

Everyone should learn to swim when they’re able. This can begin with adult-child classes and transition to swim lessons when children are about 4 years old. The right time for your child will depend on their individual readiness and abilities. 

Knowing the strokes isn’t enough, though. Kids should practice and master these five key water survival skills: 

1. Jumping into water over their head and returning to the surface 
2. Floating or treading water for at least a minute
3. Turning around in the water and orienting to find a way out
4. Combining breathing and forward movement to swim 25 yards
5. Exiting the water (without the use of a ladder in a pool) 

Even the strongest swimmers should never swim alone. Teach your children not to go in or near water without an adult present as the designated “water watcher.” For little ones, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends “touch supervision,” which means staying within arm’s reach of the child when in or around water. 

Signs that someone is drowning and what to do next 

You’re actively watching kids in the water, but how do you know if they’re playing or truly in trouble? Jump into action immediately if you notice a swimmer: 

• Is face down and motionless in the water 

• Isn’t making forward progress in the water while trying to swim in distress 

• Is vertical but not moving or treading water 

What next? Once you see someone in trouble, it’s time to quickly consider how to help without putting yourself in danger.  

The American Red Cross says, “reach or throw, don’t go”: 

• Reach out to the person with an arm, towel, pool noodle or other object to pull them to safety. If possible, lie on your stomach when reaching so you won’t be pulled into the water. 

• If you can’t reach them, throw an object that floats, such as a kick board, life jacket, empty cooler or inner tube, into the water to them. 

• Don’t go into the water unless you have a floatation device that can help keep you and the other person afloat. 

Choosing the best swimwear for your child’s safety 

When it comes to spotting your child in the water, the color of their swimsuit can make a big difference. 

“Light colored bathing suits can blend into the water and be overlooked,” Miller-Hobbs added. “Add surface agitation, such as ripples from boats, wind or other swimmers and it becomes especially difficult to see clearly. A bright color helps in quickly identifying children. In cases of drowning, minutes can make all the difference.” 

Experiments by Alive Solutions, a company specializing in aquatic safety, showed that: 

• In pools, bright/neon pink and orange stand out the best. White and light blue are the least visible. Dark colors can be mistaken for dirt, leaves or debris at the bottom of the pool.  

• In lake water, bright yellow, green and orange are most visible. 

Some swimwear manufacturers are even making a shift to offer more options in these vivid colors with safety in mind.  

Now is the time to build swimming skills 

It’s never too late to learn to swim, even if you’re an adult! This is especially important if you will be the designated water watcher when children are swimming. The American Red Cross, YMCA and other community organizations offer swim lessons for people of all ages. 

Schools throughout the region also offer learn to swim programs at no cost to students. 

Keep up with the latest safety news for your family from Safe Kids Virginia.