Front Stroke, Back Stroke, Fancy Diving Too — Weekend Safety Update
How many of you were told as children that certain behaviours would lead to your inevitable demise? “Don’t cross your eyes or they’ll stay that way.” Not a real thing. “Don’t drink coffee or it’ll stunt your growth.” As a 5'11" woman who was given coffee to flavour her milk from a very young age, I can affirm that it is malarkey. How about that you would most definitely drown to death if you were to go swimming shortly after eating? I’ve heard varying cautions stemming from 30 minutes to two hours as the necessary waiting period; however, despite your parents’ warnings this myth has since been dispelled. It turns out we can thank the Boy Scouts of 1908 for the creation of this cautionary warning. According to the Boy Scout handbook from that year, if boys didn’t wait at least 90 minutes before swimming, they might drown. The manual continued to point fingers, even warning “it will be your own fault.” Since May is National Water Safety Month and swimming weather is just around the corner (or already here depending on where you hang your hat), it’s time to debunk some other water safety myths that have persisted.
Myth #1: I’ll Know if Someone is Drowning Because I’ll Hear Them Yelling or Splashing
If your concept of what drowning looks like has been created by Hollywood, you’re likely mistaken. Despite what you may have seen in the movies, drowning is often silent and can happen within the blink of an eye.
Myth #2: As Long as There’s a Lifeguard on Duty, We Will Be Safe
While you should try to swim where there is a lifeguard present, you shouldn’t become lax when it comes to supervising your own kids at the beach, pool or lake. Remember, even though lifeguards are trained to spot someone in need of help, they’re responsible for scanning a wide area of water, not watching each individual swimmer.
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Myth #3: We Can’t Drown If We Aren’t Swimming
You’d think so, right? The reality is that the majority of drowning accidents take place during non-swimming times. In fact, 69% of drowning deaths for children under five happen when they aren’t expected to be swimming. Keep your eye on your furry friends too when they are around water. Last summer our dog fell in the pool while he was chasing a lizard. Thankfully John Hamilton was there to scoop him up (and the lizard lived to see another day). This viral video from last spring showing a dog rescuing his dog sibling from the family pool prompted mum and dad to get a cover for their pool.
Myth #4: You Don’t Need a Life Jacket if You Know How to Swim
If you’re boating, tubing or swimming in an open body of water like an ocean, lake, or river, you should always wear a properly fitted life jacket. Boating accidents occur and water conditions can unexpectedly change making it difficult for your loved ones to use their swimming skills. Wearing a life jacket can save your life! Check your life jackets for buoyancy on a yearly basis. Waterlogged, faded, or otherwise damaged vests should be discarded.
So the next time you get stung by a jellyfish, before you ask your friends to pee on you to take the sting out, remember that this remedy is just another myth (hot water for 20–45 minutes and remove the stinger according to the Mayo Clinic). Also, I just read that the five second rule isn’t applicable as bacteria starts growing immediately but I’m going to pretend I didn’t see that…
Have a happy and SAFE weekend!
