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5 things you can do to prevent drowning:
1. Assign an adult to constantly watch children around water. Stay in arms reach and do not get distracted.
2. Learn to float. Learn basic swimming skills. Never swim alone.
3. Wear a US Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD/life vest/life jacket) in and around open water, on docks, and on boats. Some PFDs come with an ocean/marine whistle. If yours doesn’t, consider buying one and attaching it to the life vest.
4. Block access to water. Ensure multiple barriers are in place around backyard pools.
5. Learn CPR with rescue breaths.
What do you do if you are ever caught in water above your head?
FLIP, FLOAT, and FOLLOW will be even easier and more effective if you are wearing a
US Coast Guard approved Personal Floatation Device/Life Jacket (PFD).
Wearing brightly colored swimwear and PFDs will also make it easier to be seen by rescuers.
FLIP, FLOAT, and FOLLOW
The most important thing to remember when drowning is to stay calm; panicking will cause you to drown faster.
1. FLIP onto your back and float.
2. FLOAT to keep your head above water, calm yourself, and conserve energy.
Floating is the most important swimming skill to know.
3. FOLLOW a safe path out of the water. Olympic swimmers cannot win swimming against a rip current, neither can you - don't try. Instead, follow the current to figure out which way it is flowing. Then, if you have the energy, swim/float PERPENDICULAR TO THE CURRENT to get out. Once you are out, the waves may help bring you to shore. If you become too tired to swim, continue to float and try to signal for help. Use an ocean/marine whistle to bring attention to yourself.