With the Georgia drought officially over and the warm summer weather here, Georgia is set for another season of swimming accidents. Over the July 4th weekend, one person drowned in Robin Lake at Callaway Gardens trying to help a 9 year old. Fortunately, the 9 year old was pulled to safety by another person. Even with lifeguards present, the victim was not able to be rescued. Having grown up around water, I know that serious injuries result from water accidents and most are preventable.
Many of us have backyard swimming pools or access to a neighborhood pool. What are your obligations as a host of a swimming party? Common sense says never leave the pool unguarded - always have someone in charge of watching the pool. Make sure your guests know how to swim and if they don't, insist that they wear a life vest.
If you are serving alcohol, it is even more critical that you have a designated person who is not drinking watch the pool while others are swimming. Keep lifesaving equipment next to the pool such as a reaching pole and a ring buoy. You should also have a cordless phone nearby in case you need to make an emergency call.
If you are going to the beach or a lake, make sure there are lifeguards present and use the buddy system when you go in the water. If you are not a strong swimmer put on a life vest. Do not rely on inflatable swim rings, rafts or noodles to keep you afloat. Find out more about preventing swimming accidents at the Red Cross Water Safety page.
Read more:
Officials ID Callaway Drowning Victim
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