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University of Eastern Philippines PE-3 Swimming

Module 3
WATER SAFETY AND WATER SURVIVAL
Introduction
Did you have a good break? We hope you are ready for the
third module of our course. Here, you will learn the basic water
safety tips and skills on how to survive in the water. Swimming
is a great recreational sport that can be enjoyed by people of all Outcomes:
At the end of this module, you will be able
ages. But it’s really important you to know how to be safe and
to:
survive while you’re in the water. In this module, we will offer 1. Learn and discuss the importance of
these important swimming safety tips you should be aware of water safety.
before you head out to the pool or beach. 2. Explain the difference between
swimming in a pool and swimming in open
water.
BASIC WATER SAFETY TIPS 3. Enumerate the water safety survival
skills.
When the weather turns warm, everyone wants to be in or
around the water. Hanging out at the pool or the beach on a hot
day is a great way to beat the heat. Between having fun and
checking out the lifeguards, most people don’t think much
about water safety — but they should. For people between the
ages of 5 and 24, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death. It doesn’t have to be that way,
though. Most water-related accidents can be avoided by knowing how to stay safe and following a few
simple guidelines.

Swimming Smarts

 "Buddy up!" -That’s what swimming instructors

say. Always swim with a partner, every time -
whether you’re swimming in a backyard pool or
sin a lake. Even experienced swimmers can
become tired or get muscle cramps, which might
make it difficult to get out of the water. When
people swim together, they can help each other or
go for help in case of an emergency.
 Get skilled- Speaking of emergencies, it’s good
to be prepared. Learning some life-saving skills,
such as CPR and rescue techniques, can help you
save a life. A number of organizations offer free
classes for both beginning and experienced
swimmers and boaters. Check with your YMCA
or YWCA, local hospital, or chapter of the Red
Cross.
 Know your limits- Swimming can be a lot of fun — and you might want to stay in the water as
long as possible. If you’re not a good swimmer or you’re just learning to swim, don’t go in water
that’s so deep you can’t touch the bottom and don’t try to keep up with skilled swimmers. That can
be hard, especially when your friends are challenging you — but it’s a pretty sure bet they’d rather
have you safe and alive.
If you are a good swimmer and have had lessons, keep an eye on friends who aren’t as comfortable
or as skilled as you are. If it seems like they (or you) are getting tired or a little uneasy, suggest that
you take a break from swimming for a while.
 Swim in safe areas only- It’s a good idea
to swim only in places that are supervised by a
lifeguard. No one can anticipate changing ocean
currents, riptides, sudden storms, or other hidden
dangers. In the event that something does go wrong,
lifeguards are trained in rescue techniques. Swimming
in an open body of water (like a river, lake, or ocean)
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is different from swimming in a pool. You need more energy to handle the currents and other
conditions in the open water.
If you do find yourself caught in a current, don’t panic and don’t fight the current. Swim with the
current, gradually trying to make your way back to shore as you do so. Even a very good swimmer
who tries to swim against a strong current will get worn out. If you’re going to be swimming in an
open body of water, it’s a great idea to take swimming lessons that provide you with tips on handling
unexpected hazards. Some areas with extremely strong currents are off limits when it comes to
swimming. Do your research so you know where not to swim.
 Be careful about diving- Diving injuries can cause
permanent spinal cord damage, paralysis, and
sometimes even death. Protect yourself by only
diving in areas that are known to be safe, such as the
deep end of a supervised pool. If an area is posted
with "No Diving" or "No Swimming" signs, pay
attention to them. A "No Diving" sign means the
water isn’t safe for a head-first entry. Even if you
plan to jump in feet first, check the waters depth
before you leap to make sure there are no hidden
rocks or other hazards. Lakes or rivers can be cloudy and hazards may be hard to see.
 Watch the sun- Sun reflecting off the water or off sand can intensify the burning rays. You might not
feel sunburned when the water feels cool and refreshing, but the pain will catch up with you later —
so remember to reapply sunscreen frequently and cover up much of the time.
 Drink plenty of fluids- It’s easy to get dehydrated in the sun, particularly if you’re
active and sweating. Keep up with fluids — particularly water — to prevent
dehydration. Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or nausea can be signs of dehydration
and overheating.

 Getting too cool- Speaking of temperature, it’s possible to get too cool. How?
Staying in very cool water for long periods can lower your body temperature. A temperature of
70° Fahrenheit (20° Celsius) is positively balmy on land, but did you know that water below 70°
Fahrenheit will feel cold to most swimmers? Your body temperature drops far more quickly in water
than it does on land. And if you’re swimming, you’re using energy and losing body heat even faster
than if you were keeping still. Monitor yourself when swimming in cold water and stay close to shore.
If feel your body start to shiver or your muscles cramp up, get out of the water quickly; it doesn’t take
long for hypothermia to set in.
 Alcohol and water never mix- Alcohol is involved in numerous water-related injuries and up to half
of all water-related deaths. The statistics for teenage guys are particularly scary: One
half of all adolescent male drownings are tied to alcohol use.

A respect for the water and an understanding of associated dangers are

necessary for safety just about everywhere. General rules and routines
should be borne in mind at all times.

Swimming in a Pool

a) Swimming pool users should be aware of water depths indicated on the pool sides.
b) There should be no running on the poolside; wet floors can be slippery and consequent falls can cause
injury.
c) Swim hats should be worn by those with long hair, or the hair should be tied securely so that it cannot
cover the face and especially the mouth.
d) Sweets or chewing gum should be avoided. It is dangerous to enter the water with these in the mouth.
e) Jewelry should not be worn. It can be dangerous if the wearer is in close contact with other people
in the water.
e) After a meal, food should be allowed to digest for at least 1.5 hours.
f) If goggles are worn, they should fit snugly and should be constructed of safe material and conform to
BS 5883-1996.

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g) Floats and other buoyancy aids should be treated with care and not thrown about. Inflatable aids
should be checked frequently for damage or malfunction. Beginners using them should remain in a
safe depth of water.
h) Care must be taken when diving to ensure that the entry area is clear of swimmers and obstructions
and that the water is sufficiently deep.
i) Diving entries for swimming should be of the plunge style. They should be shallow dives performed
from a firm stance into a clear area of water. For early practices the depth of water should be at least
1.8 metres. Only after proficiency has been gained can special racing type entries, as required by
competitive swimmers, be made into shallower water, determined by the depth of water at the starting
end of the pool and never less than 1.5m deep.
j) Diving as a sporting form and used in competition requires special training which usually takes place
in diving clubs. Entries are made from purpose-built platforms and springboards with the body in a
vertical position requiring a water depth of up to 5 metres.
k) Those responsible for the use of the pool should be familiar with the Normal Operating Procedure and
the Emergency Action Plan which all pool operators are required to have in place.

Swimming in Open Water

Not all swimming takes place in the comparatively safe environment of a swimming pool and there are many
water activities for which swimming should be a prerequisite. For those who use open water the following
safety code should be observed.
 DO NOT swim alone unless competent help is at hand.
 DO NOT bathe in areas where red flags or other warnings are displayed.
 DO NOT fool about at the sides of rivers, lakes, canals or quays.
 DO NOT venture on frozen ponds.
 DO NOT float out to sea on inflatables; tides can be treacherous even for strong swimmers.
 DO NOT go out in small boats without wearing a life-jacket and telling somebody where you are
going and when you are due back.

Follow the Water Safety Code:

 Spot the dangers

 Take safety advice
 Don’t go alone
 Learn how to help
Always wear footwear to prevent injury, discarding it only when swimming. Wear a brightly coloured swim
hat to retain body heat and so you can be easily seen. Have shelter and first aid equipment available.

You may pause for a while. Slowly stretch your muscles to refresh yourself. And enjoy your
coffee.

Now let’s proceed.

WATER SAFETY SURVIVAL SKILLS

As one of the leading causes of death in children is

drowning in bodies of water of all proportions
including a tiny padding pool, learning as much as we
can about how to survive potential drowning could
prove a life-saving action for the kids or yourself.
Although it is highly recommended for children to
attend water survival classes as well as learn to swim
as early as possible, we must remember that adults
also at risk when in, on or besides a body of water.

In order to help people become more aware of what to

do for themselves, a loved one or a complete stranger
when faced with a life-threatening situation in the
water, we’ve compiled some of the more vital
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survival skills. By educating ourselves about survival skills in water environments, we could make a
difference in preventing ourselves or someone from drowning during a water related accident.

1. Learn to Swim
Although this is probably the most obvious thing you’ve
ever heard, it’s important for each and every one of us to
encourage others to learn to swim. Contrary to what many
people believe, there are way too many teenagers and adults
that are still not confident in the water. So, whether you’re
in your thirties or you have a couple of kids unprepared for
water-related incidents, making sure yourself or the children
can swim, could save a life.

2. Stay Calm
I know
this might sound ridiculous to say, but if you do find
yourself in a body of water quite unexpectedly, it
would be wise to remain as calm as you can. And
this basic water survival skill is not just for the
unfortunate sole that has fallen into a lake or river.
Anyone thinking of rescuing a potentially
drowning person should be aware that the
individual they are trying to rescue could
actually drag them under water due to how much
they are panicking.

3. Flip & Float

One skill taught in all survival skill classes for water

is flipping over and floating in the water.
Although not all people unfamiliar with the water will be aware of, it’s actually quite easy to lay flat on your
back and just float. Of course, one major aspect of this skill with regard to avoiding getting water in your
lungs is to make sure you keep your nose and mouth out of the water as much as possible.

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1. Drownproofing Method

Introduced by U.S. swimming coach Fred

Lanoue, who worked at the Georgia
Institute of Technology from 1936 to 1964,
this simple survival skill has been taught to
thousands over the years. Mr.Lanoue
prescribed the method based on his belief
that we all have some amount of buoyancy-
allowing us to float in a vertical position. As
long as we keep our face submerged in the
water- coming up for breathes when
absolutely necessary, we should be able to
float indefinitely using very little energy.

2. Air Bubbles

Buying a nice new shirt could turn out to be a very wise investment for reasons we had no idea would
surface. If you’re unlucky enough to plunge into a pond on your way home, using your favorite shirt to trap
air bubbles could be a solution. In fact, it’s not unknown for groups of people stranded in water after a
boating accident to employ this system to help them float. There’s actually plenty of buoyancy that can be
created by a pair of jeans, top or another garment in some water.

3. Clothes Tests
Unfortunately, there are many well- intentioned
parents that although encourage their children to
learn water survival skills, fail to prepare the kids
for real-life situations. Of course, the likelihood of
falling into some water in just a pair of swimming
trunks is extremely low. With this in mind, it’s
important to either test the kids with how they
react with clothes on in a pool or go through the
process yourself. You’ll be amazed at just how
much more difficult it can be to deal with a
drowning scenario when fully clothed.

3. Look for Exit

Let’s just say you’ve mastered flipping and

floating to help be prepared for a potential drowning situation, the next thing you should train yourself to do
is look for places where you might exit the water. Apart from exit points at pools like steps, natural
environments such as rivers will require a lot more searching for somewhere to get out of dodge. Anyone that

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has come across someone in need of help after slipping into a body of water should also be aware of this
aspect.

4. Be Well Prepared

Apart from splashing around with family and friends whilst on holiday or if you’re lucky enough to have
your own pool- out the back at home, there are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed in bodies of water.
However, as much as it’s important to learn water survival skills, it’s also crucial to take along gear that
could make the difference between a great day out and total disaster. It goes without saying that a like jacket
and possibly one or more rescue bouys are essential gear to put in the trunk of your car when heading out to
the local river for a fun- filled day in the water.

5. Don’t Jump In

Making sure you don’t go from rescuer to victim

when reacting to a potential problem when
passing a lake or other water environment is of
course something all heroes will aspire to. The
last thing most water survival experts will say is
avoid going in after someone thrashing about in
some water- especially if they look like they are
really panicking. The best thing to do in these
situations or even when a non-swimmer is calmly
waiting to be rescued is to look for something
that can be used to help them pull themselves to
safety such as some rope or even a long tree
branch.

At this point, let’s stop and see how well you

understand water safety and water survival skills
by answering the following self-assessment
questions.

Knowledge Check

SAQ 1 – 1

1. What is the importance of water safety? Why is it Important to be Safe in the

water?

SAQ 1 – 2

2. What is the difference between swimming in a pool and swimming in open water?

3. What are the four parts of the Water Safety code?

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SAQ 1 – 3

4. Enumerate the swimming safety survival skills

SUMMARY
Swimming is a fun activity and a great way to keep cool during the hot summer months, but it’s really
important to know how to stay safe in and around the water. Drowning is swift and silent — there may be
little splashing or cries for help. It can take as few as 20 seconds to sink below the water and only minutes to
drown, but you can survive and stay safe by following those tips and skills — whether around a pond, lake,
river, ocean, or pool.

Feedback/Reflection
Congratulations... Job well done! You’ve managed to accomplish the third module of this course!
For the last time, share to the class your final insights by completing the following sentence prompts.

I have learned that

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
_____________________.

I still wish to ask my teacher about

__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________.

Suggested Reading
 Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton

References
 The Royal Life Saving Society Australia 1995, Swimming and Lifesaving, 3rd edn, Mosby Lifeline,
Sydney.
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 https://francis111291/basic-water-safety-tips
 https://www.rlsscommonwealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/RLSS-Survival-Swimming-
Guide.pdf
 https://www.coursehero.com/file/28235982/Swimmingpdf/
 https://www.gearhungry.com/water-safety-survival-skills/

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