The Y: We’re for Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

SAFETY AROUND WATER

SAFETY TOPICS

Drowning poses a considerable risk for youth and adults, especially those from underserved populations. The statistics are sobering, but drowning deaths are preventable. At the Y, we believe everyone should have the chance to learn how to stay safe around water. At every lesson, we cover one safety topic. We highlight these safety topics because they address the most common safety issues families experience around water. To reinforce what your child is learning, ask the following questions at home or in the car:

BENCHMARK SKILLS

What two skills can help you get to the side of the pool if you are in trouble and why are each of them important? - Jump, push, turn, grab helps you safely exit the pool by pushing off the bottom, grabbing the wall, and climbing out. - Swim, float, swim helps you get to the side of the pool if you are not within reach by swimming on your front, rolling to your back to breathe when you get tired, grabbing the wall, and climbing out. Of all the skills you are learning, what are you really good at? What do you need to improve?

CALL 911

When should you call 911? Call 911 if you think a person is in trouble and there is no adult nearby. What do you tell the 911 operator? - Your first and last name - The address of your location - The telephone number you’re calling from - What happened and how many people are hurt

REACH OR THROW, DON’T GO

Why shouldn’t you jump in to save a friend who is struggling in the water? A panicked person in the water can grab you and pull you under. What can you do to help your friend? Use an object to reach out to your friend and pull him or her back to the shore, the bank, or the side of the pool. You can use anything long enough to extend your reach or help your friend float, such as a pool noodle.

CPR

What is CPR? Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) helps maintain vital blood flow to the heart and brain. How can you tell if someone needs CPR? If someone doesn’t respond, check for breathing and a pulse. When you can’t see, hear, or feel any signs of breathing and you can’t find a pulse after 10 seconds, the person probably needs CPR.