By Cory Benet
With school ending and summer beginning, the heat is drawing many people to beaches, pools, and lakes. And even though it may seem like a perfect time to swim, experts say that it is the best time to emphasize swimming safely.
Even though the number of drowning deaths has gone down by over 40%, drowning is the third leading cause of death, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
Swimming lessons are a great way to decrease the risk of drowning. Though for some reason, more than half adults in the U.S. have never taken a single lesson. So consider enrolling your children in swimming lessons. Also, maybe consider lessons for yourself to improve your swimming skills and comfort in the water.
Also keep in mind that even children who have had swimming lessons are still at risk of drowning and still need constant supervision when they are in or around any body of water. Even with a lifeguard present, parents should be closely monitoring their children along with avoiding distracting activities.
Along with keeping children and yourselves safe this summer, you should also avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages before you decide to go swimming. Alcoholic beverages impair your judgment, along with increasing your risk-taking behavior; those two things alone increase your chances of drowning while under the influence way higher.
On top of that, alcohol reduces your coordination, numbs your senses, mostly sight, sound, and even touch, leading to an unsteadiness and making it way more difficult to escape dangerous situations because your reaction time is slowed down heavily.
Though not drinking and taking swimming lessons will help you decrease your chances of drowning, you are still always at risk when you go swimming. So next time you go swimming, make sure you wear your floaties and stay close to others.
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