Always swim with a buddy! You should always swim or play in the water with a buddy. It is not safe to enter water by yourself; so have more fun by bringing a friend or family member to swim and play with you. Keep in mind that more than half of all young children involved in water accidents were alone. (Water Smart Action Guide 2002).

To ensure your safety, consider only playing in water that is supervised by qualified lifeguards. In 2004, The Lifesaving Society stated that less than 1% of all water safety accidents occur under the supervision of lifeguards. As a result, you are significantly safer when swimming with lifeguards present.

If you encounter somebody in trouble on the water, use the Ladder Approach to help them to safety. This life-saving approach directs you to first speak to the victim while they get to safety. Secondly, throw a floatation device to the victim and continue speaking to them until they are safe. Thirdly, lower an object to them and help pull them to safety while lying on your stomach. Lying down prevents the victim from pulling you in the water with them. If these three approaches are not successful call out to an adult or experienced lifeguard to help you. Avoid getting in the water to rescue the victim.

Rocking boats or standing up in them can be really dangerous because small boats and canoes are naturally unstable. Shifting the weight load in one may cause it to tip over and throw its contents in the water; it is therefore important to keep the boat balanced. Follow the instructions regarding the number of people allowed in the boat and how much weight the boat can handle.

If your boat overturns and you are thrown into the water, remain calm and try to stay near the boat; this is your safest place. An overturned boat should remain floating so use it to keep yourself afloat. Before going out in your boat, check the weather report to make sure water conditions are safe. Make sure you have any maps or charts that you will need, as well as lifejackets or personal floatation devices (PFDs), a first-aid kit, tools, spare parts, and fuel. Communication can save lives so make sure you map your route and let someone know where you are going and when you will be back.

Lifejackets save lives – it’s as simple as that. Most importantly, when you are in a boat wearing a lifejacket is required. It is not enough to just have the lifejacket available, you need to be wearing it. Not wearing a personal floatation device or lifejacket is the number one reason boaters are involved in water safety accidents. As a result, lifejackets are required on all boats as well as jet-skis and other water crafts. Diving into shallow water can result in severe back and neck injuries – causing paralysis in many people. Save your neck by testing the water first. Go in feet first to see how deep the water is.

Always avoid diving in shallow water, especially in pools where the depth is clearly indicated. If you want to dive, first stop and look at the water to test if it is deep enough. It is always safer to enter the water feet first, the first time you go in.

1. Most water safety accidents occur under lifeguard supervision.

• true
• false

2. Who should you go swimming with?

• alone
• with a buddy

3. When the boat you are in overturns, where is your safest place?

• with the boat
• trying to swim to the shore

4. When entering water for the first time, how should you enter it?

• feet first
• diving head first

5. What is the number one reason boaters are involved in water safety accidents?

• wearing their lifejackets or
• not wearing their lifejackets