Lonestar Social Services Water Safety

1. LONESTAR SOCIAL SERVICES
WATER SAFETY
REVISED APRIL 2022

2. THE TRUE
STORY OF
*ADAM
ADAM WAS A THREE-YEAR-OLD CHILD WITH TWO LOVING
PARENTS. ADAM AND HIS PARENTS WENT TO A PUBLIC POOL
FOR A POOL PARTY. ADAM HAD FLOATIES ON AND ONE PARENT
WAS IN THE POOL WITH HIM, AND THE OTHER WAS BY THE
POOL. WHEN IT WAS CAKE TIME, ADAM’S PARENTS HELPED HIM
OUT OF THE POOL AND ADAM’S FLOATIES WERE TAKEN OFF.
ADAM WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS TIME FOR CAKE, BUT ADAM
DIDN’T WANT CAKE. HIS PARENTS WALKED OFF AND TOLD
ADAM THAT HE NEEDED TO COME TO THE TABLE FOR
CAKE/PRESENTS WITH THE REST OF THE PARTY. ADAM WAS BY
THE POOL FOR A SHORT TIME BY HIMSELF WHILE THE REST OF
THE ADULTS AND CHILDREN WERE BY THE CAKE/PRESENTS.
ADAM THEN JUMPED IN THE POOL. ADAM’S PARENTS HEARD
THE SPLASH AND RAN TOWARDS THE WATER. BY THE TIME
THEY GOT TO THE WATER, ADAM WAS ALREADY AT THE
BOTTOM OF THE POOL. HE WAS BROUGHT TO THE EDGE AND
CPR WAS STARTED AS 911 WAS CALLED. ADAM WAS AIRLIFTED
TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM. HE WAS ON LIFE SUPPORT FOR
THREE DAYS BEFORE ADAM WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.

4. IT ONLY TAKE SECONDS TO DROWN
A LOT OF WATER RELATED
EMERGENCIES INVOLVING YOUNG
CHILD ARE FROM A LAPSE OR GAP IN
SUPERVISION
WHY IS WATER
SAFETY SO
IMPORTANT?

5. MAIN IDEAS
WATER
COMPETENCY
ENSURING THAT CHILDREN
IN YOUR CARE HAVE BASIC
WATER SKILLS.
LAYERS OF
PROTECTION
&
SUPERVISION
ENSURING THAT CHILDREN
IN YOUR CARE ARE
SUPERVISED DURING WATER
ACTIVITIES.
KEEPING POOL AREAS
SECURE AND BARRIERS IN
PLACE TO PREVENT
ACCIDENTS.
HOW TO
RESPOND IN
AN
EMERGENCY
LEARNING HOW TO HELP
SOMEONE IN CASE OF
WATER EMERGENCIES.

6. WATER COMPETENCY
• IF YOU HAVE A BODY OF WATER AT YOUR HOME
OR FREQUENTLY VISIT A BODY OF WATER (LAKE,
POOL, ETC.):
• SWIMMING CLASSES ARE NECESSARY TO
ENSURE CHILDREN KNOW THE FOLLOWING
SKILLS:
• SAFELY ENTERING THE WATER
• GETTING A BREATH
• STAYING AFLOAT
• CHANGING POSITIONS
• SWIMMING
• GETTING OUT OF THE POOL SAFELY
• WORK WITH LONESTAR STAFF OR DFPS STAFF
IF RESOURCES ARE NEEDED FOR SWIMMING
CLASSES

7. WATER
COMPETENCY
CONT.
• PART OF WATER
COMPETENCY IS
ENSURING THAT YOU AS
THE CAREGIVER KNOW
THE LIMITS OF THE CHILD
IN THE WATER.
• AS FOSTER PARENTS,
YOU MAY NOT
ALWAYS KNOW THE
CHILD’S
BACKGROUND AND
SKILLS.

8. WATER COMPETENCY
CONT.
• UNTIL YOU KNOW THE CHILD’S SWIMMING SKILLS:
• STAY IN THE WATER WITH THEM
• STAY IN SHALLOW WATER
• MAKE SURE THE CHILD HAS FLOATATION DEVICES ON
• REGARDLESS OF THE CHILD’S SKILL LEVEL:
• ALWAYS PUT A CHILD IN A US COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE JACKET WHEN IN A LAKE
OR OCEAN.
• SIGN THE CHILD UP FOR SWIMMING CLASSES AS SOON AFTER PLACEMENT AS POSSIBLE,
ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A BODY OF WATER AT HOME OR WILL BE FREQUENT VISITORS
TO A BODY OF WATER.

9. WATER COMPETENCY
CONT.
• CAREGIVERS SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE OF WAYS
TO HELP A DROWNING PERSON OR INDIVIDUAL
STRUGGLING IN THE WATER
• MORE ON THIS LATER
• ALTHOUGH THE STATE AND LONESTAR REQUIRES
CPR/FIRST AID TRAINING AT LEAST EVERY 2
YEARS, FREQUENT REFRESH OF THESE SKILLS CAN
HELP IN THESE EMERGENCIES.

10. WATER COMPETENCY
CONT.
• AS THE CAREGIVER, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BEING AWARE OF WATER
HAZARDS IN EACH BODY OF WATER THAT YOU AND THE CHILD(REN) ARE
IN
• EXAMPLES COULD BE
• UNDERWATER DANGERS LIKE SEA CREATURES THAT MAY STING THE CHILD AND DISORIENT
THEM WHILE SWIMMING
• OTHER SWIMMERS WHO MAY BE ACTING UNSAFELY. LIKE CHILDREN HORSEPLAYING OR
CHALLENGING EACH OTHER TO BREATHING CONTESTS.
• HAVING A LESS SKILLED SWIMMER IN A MORE CHALLENGING BODY OF WATER, LIKE A RIVER
WITH A STRONG STREAM OR AN OCEAN WITH COLD WATER.

11. WATER COMPETENCY
EVALUATE THE CONDITIONS
• WATERFALLS:
• CAN INCLUDE SLIPPERY ROCKS AND
SURFACES
• LOOK FOR POSTED WARNING SIGNS
• ENJOY FROM A DISTANCE
• STAY ON ESTABLISHED TRAILS
• DON’T JUMP OFF OR DIVE INTO
WATERFALLS
• NEVER SWIM NEAR A WATERFALL

12. WATER COMPETENCY
EVALUATE THE CONDITIONS
• RIVERS & STREAMS
• SEASONS CAN RAPIDLY CHANGE RIVERS AND STREAMS
• AVOID ROCK HOPPING OR WALKING ALONG ROCKS, AS THEY COULD BE SLIPPERY
• IF YOU CROSS A STREAM, STUDY THE AREA, AVOID DEEP AND SWIFT WATER
• NEVER CROSS A NATURAL BRIDGE MADE OF ROCKS OR LOGS
• NEVER CROSS ABOVE RAPIDS OR FALLS
• IF CROSSING STREAM, UNBUCKLE ANY PACKS YOU ARE CARRYING, SO THAT THEY CAN BE
DROPPED IF YOU GO UNDER THE WATER
• DON’T TIE ANYBODY TO SAFETY ROPES, THEY CAN CAUSE FURTHER HAZARDS.
• IF YOU FALL INTO FAST MOVING WATER, LAY ON BACK WITH FEET POINTING DOWNSTREAM AND
TOES POINTING UP.
• HAVE CHILDREN WEAR LIFE VESTS

13. WATER COMPETENCY
EVALUATE THE CONDITIONS
• LAKES
• DO NOT DIVE INTO THE WATER OR JUMP OFF
CLIFFS/BRIDGES
• CHOOSE SWIMMING AREAS CAREFULLY AND ONLY
SWIM DURING LOW WATER CONDITIONS
• DO NOT INCLUDE ALCOHOL DURING LAKE EVENTS
• USE LIFE JACKETS THAT ARE US COAST GUARD
APPROVED WHEN IN THE BOAT OR WATER.
• DO NOT USE ANY TOYS IN PLACE OF LIFE JACKETS
• KNOW THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND FORECAST

14. WATER COMPETENCY
EVALUATE THE CONDITIONS
• COSTAL BEACHES
• UNEXPECTED WAVES, COLD WATER, SWIFT CURRENTS, LOG/DEBRIS CAN BE THE MAIN HAZARDS.
• OTHER HAZARDS INCLUDE CAVE-INS, UNSTABLE SLOPES, MUD FLATS, AND HIGH TIDES
• KEEP ONE EYE ON WATER TO DETECT UNEXPECTED WAVES
• FACE THE WATER WHEN NEAR WAVES
• CHECK THE FORECAST BEFORE GOING TO BEACH
• KNOW THE TIDES SO RISING WATER WON’T TRAP YOU
• OBSERVE THE WAVES AND ANTICIPATE DOUBLE THAT HEIGHT
• WEAR A LIFE JACKET WHEN FISHING OR TIDE POOLING
• BEWARE OF COLD WATER, AS IT WILL AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO SWIM
• IF CAUGHT IN RIP CURRENT, SWIM PARALLEL TO THE BEACH UNTIL OUT OF THE CURRENT, THEN SWIM
TOWARD SHORE.
• EVEN IF CHILDREN ARE NOT ACTIVELY SWIMMING, KEEP CLOSE WATCH ON THEM.
• RESCUE FROM SHORE WHEN POSSIBLE AND SEND FOR HELP.

15. WATER
COMPETENCY
CONT.
• IF YOU HAVE A POOL OR
BODY OF WATER AT YOUR
HOME, “POOL RULES” OR
WATER RULES SHOULD BE
POSTED AND EXPLAINED
TO THE CHILD BEFORE
SWIMMING.

16. WATER COMPETENCY
CONT.
• BEFORE ALLOWING A CHILD INTO THE POOL, WATER
WATCHERS/SUPERVISORS SHOULD ENSURE:
• DRAIN GATES ARE IN PLACE, IN GOOD REPAIR AND CAPABLE OF BEING REMOVED,
ONLY WITH TOOLS
• ALL PARTS OF THE POOL CAN BE SEEN WHEN SUPERVISING
• BOTTOM OF THE POOL CAN ALWAYS BE SEEN
• WATER WATCHING IS IN AN AREA THAT HAS AN UNBLOCKED VIEW OF THE POOL/BODY
OF WATER.
• POOL/HOT TUB COVERS ARE COMPLETELY REMOVED BEFORE SWIMMERS ENTER THE
WATER.
• WATER WATCHERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF HOW TO TURN OFF THE PUMPS AND
FILTRATION SYSTEM AND SHOULD BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO DO SO IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.
• CHILD IS AWARE OF THE RULES OF THE ACTIVITY AND KNOWS THE DESIGNATED

17. WATER COMPETENCY
CONT.
• CHILDREN MUST WEAR A LIFE JACKET WHEN:
• PARTICIPATING IN BOATING ACTIVITIES
• CHILD IS IN MORE THAN 2 FEET OF WATER AND
DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO SWIM
• IF A PHYSICIAN ORDERS A LIFE JACKET BE USED DUE
TO A MEDICAL CONCERN OR DISABILITY

18. WATER COMPETENCY
CONT.
• ALWAYS USE PRUDENT JUDGEMENT
WHEN DECIDING ON WHEN A LIFE
JACKET IS NEEDED.
• IT WOULD BE BETTER TO REQUIRE A
LIFE JACKET AND IT NOT BE NEEDED
THAN TO NOT REQUIRE IT AND
HAVE AN UNSAFE SITUATION.
• DON’T RELY ON WATER RECREATION
TOOLS AS A LIFE SAVING DEVICE.
THESE ITEMS MAY SHIFT POSITION,
LOSE AIR, OR SLIP OUT FROM
UNDERNEATH THE CHILD. EXAMPLES
ARE:
• WATER RINGS
• SWIM RINGS
• INFLATABLE TOYS

19. SUPERVISION
• EVERYONE SHOULD SWIM WITH SOME LEVEL OF
SUPERVISION.
• CHILDREN WITH VERY BASIC OR NO KNOWN WATER
SKILLS, SHOULD BE DIRECTLY SUPERVISED BY A “WATER
WATCHER” WHO IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO REACH THE
CHILD.
• YOUNG CHILDREN, REGARDLESS OF THEIR SWIMMING
ABILITIES, SHOULD ALWAYS HAVE AN ADULT WITHIN
ARM’S REACH OF THEM WHEN SWIMMING OR NEAR
WATER.
• OLDER CHILDREN SHOULD STILL HAVE AN ADULT
WATCHING THE CHILD AND WATER.

20. SUPERVISION
• EVEN IF A LIFEGUARD IS ON DUTY, THE
CAREGIVER IS STILL PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE SUPERVISION OF THEIR CHILDREN.
• “WATER WATCHERS” SHOULD NOT BE
DISTRACTED BY PHONES, DEVICES, READING,
ALCOHOL, ETC. BUT SHOULD BE ACTIVELY
SCANNING THE WATER AND SUPERVISING.
• CAREGIVERS SHOULD ENSURE CHILDREN ARE
AWARE TO ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION BEFORE
ENTERING THE WATER OR GOING NEAR
WATER.

21. SUPERVISION
THE FOLLOWING RATIOS MUST BE FOLLOWED
DURING SWIMMING ACTIVITIES.
• THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CHILDREN THAT
ONE ADULT CAN SUPERVISE, IS BASED ON
THE YOUNGEST CHILD IN THE GROUP.
• HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES:
• IF THE HOME HAS A 12-MONTH-OLD, 5-
YEAR-OLD AND 8-YEAR-OLD, AT LEAST
THREE ADULTS ARE REQUIRED TO
SUPERVISE.
• IF THE HOME HAS A 4-YEAR-OLD AND
7-YEAR-OLD, ONLY ONE ADULT IS
NEEDED TO SUPERVISE BOTH.

22. SUPERVISION
• AS ALWAYS, CAREGIVERS SHOULD USE
PRUDENT JUDGEMENT AND SHOULD ALWAYS
INCREASE SUPERVISION BASED ON THE
CHILD’S NEEDS.
• SOME CONCERNS WHICH REQUIRE EXTRA
SUPERVISION:
• IF A CHILD IS PHYSICALLY IMPAIRED,
DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED OR HAS
MEDICAL NEEDS, YOU SHOULD ENSURE
THE CHILD HAS ONE ADULT ASSIGNED TO
THEM.
• IF A CHILD HAS MAJOR BEHAVIORAL
NEEDS WHICH MAY BE A SAFETY CONCERN
FOR THEM OR ANOTHER CHILD, THEY
SHOULD ALSO HAVE ONE ADULT
ASSIGNED TO SUPERVISE THEM.

23. SUPERVISION
• AS PART OF NORMALCY, SOME CHILDREN MAY BE
APPROVED TO PARTICIPATE IN “UNSUPERVISED”
CHILDHOOD ACTIVITIES THAT WOULD INVOLVE
SWIMMING.
• BEFORE ALLOWING SUCH ACTIVITIES
• CAREGIVERS SHOULD ASSESS THE BACKGROUND OF
THE CHILD:
• AGE
• LEVEL OF MATURITY
• RESPONSIBILITY
• SWIMMING SKILLS
• CAREGIVERS SHOULD REVIEW THE CHILD’S SERVICE
PLAN, SUPERVISION PLANS, AND ANY SAFETY PLANS
FOR ANY CONCERNS.

24. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
• IF A POOL/BODY OF WATER IS AT YOUR FOSTER HOME:
• ENSURE THE POOL/BODY OF WATER HAS A FENCE AS A BARRIER TO THE WATER,
THAT IS AT LEAST 4 FEET TALL.
• ENSURE YOUR HOME AND THE FENCE IS LOCKED TO AVOID CHILDREN ENTERING THE
WATER AREA UNSUPERVISED.
• FENCE GATES MUST BE SELF-CLOSING AND SELF-LATCHING TO AVOID THE GATE BEING
ACCIDENTLY BEING LEFT OPEN.
• GATES LEADING TO THE POOL AREA MUST HAVE A KEY OR COMBO LOCK.
• DOORS LEADING TO THE POOL AREA SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE LOCK THAT ONLY
CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF 10 YEARS OLD CAN REACH
• ENSURE NOTHING IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE POOL AREA FOR THE CHILD TO SCALE
THE FENCE OR RELEASE THE LOCK.
• HAVE AT LEAST 2 LIFE SAVING DEVICES, MORE MAY BE REQUIRED DEPENDING ON THE
SIZE OF THE POOL.

25. LAYERS OF
PROTECTION
• SINCE CHILDREN CAN DROWN
IN EVEN SHALLOW WATER:
• KEEP WADING/SPLASHING
POOLS (POOLS WITH LESS
THAN 2 FEET OF WATER)
• STORED OUT OF REACH
OF CHILDREN
• DRAINED DAILY
• STORED UPSIDE DOWN
SO IT DOES NOT
COLLECT WATER.

26. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
• EVEN IF LIFEGUARDS ARE PRESENT, A CAREGIVER OR ANOTHER
RESPONSIBLE ADULT SHOULD STAY WITH THE CHILD(REN)
• IF LIFEGUARD IS PRESENT, ALWAYS SWIM IN THE LIFEGUARDED AREA.
• SIGN THE ENTIRE FAMILY UP FOR SWIMMING LESSONS
• LOOK AROUND FOR SAFETY SIGNS, RULES AND GUIDELINES BEFORE YOU
START SWIMMING IN A LAKE, OCEAN, OR POOL.
• KNOW WHERE THE FIRST AID KIT AND AED ARE (IF IN PUBLIC PLACES).

27. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
AGE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AND ISSUES
• BABIES (UP TO A YEAR OLD)
• BABIES CAN DROWN IN JUST AN INCH OF WATER.
• MOST INFANT DROWNINGS HAPPEN IN A BATHTUB
• NEVER LEAVE A YOUNG CHILD ALONE IN THE BATH, NOT
EVEN WITH WATER SAFETY DEVICES
• EMPTY ALL BUCKETS/CONTAINERS AND DON’T LEAVE
STANDING WATER AROUND
• KEEP BATHROOM DOORS CLOSED AND INSTALL
CHILDPROOFING IN AREAS WHERE ACCESS TO WATER IS
POSSIBLE (TOILETS/BATHROOMS)

28. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
AGE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AND ISSUES
• CHILDREN ONE YEAR OLD TO FIVE YEARS OLD:
• CHILDREN OF THIS AGE GROUP MOST OFTEN DROWN IN SWIMMING POOLS
• OFTEN, THE CHILD IS NOT ACTIVELY SWIMMING BUT WANDERS INTO THE POOL WITHOUT THE
CAREGIVER BEING AWARE
• THIS CAN HAPPEN SOUNDLESSLY AND SUDDENLY
• REMOVE TOYS FROM THE POOL WHEN NOT IN USE SO THAT THE CHILD IS NOT TEMPTED TO
REACH FOR THE TOY.
• ALWAYS EMPTY BLOW-UP TOYS AFTER USE AND PUT THEM AWAY SO THEY DON’T COLLECT
WATER.
• STAY AWAY FROM POOL SLIDES AS THEY CAN BE DANGEROUS
• DON’T ALLOW RIDING TOYS NEAR POOLS.
• KEEP A PHONE NEAR THE POOL FOR EMERGENCY USE.

29. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
AGE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AND ISSUES
• CHILDREN FIVES YEARS OLD TO 12 YEARS OLD:
• CHILDREN OF THIS AGE ARE MORE LIKELY TO DROWN IN AN OCEAN, LAKE OR RIVER.
• ALWAYS WATCH CHILDREN WHEN THEY ARE SWIMMING IN ANY BODY OF WATER.
• DON’T LET THEM DIVE INTO WATER UNLESS THE DEPTH OF THE WATER IS KNOWN AND IS AT
LEAST 9 FEET.
• DON’T ALLOW CHILDREN TO SWIM DURING THUNDERSTORMS OR LIGHTENING.
• TEACH AND MAKE SURE CHILD IS AWARE OF HOW TO STAY CALM, AND TREAD WATER UNTIL HELP
ARRIVES, IF THEY DRIFT TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE.
• DON’T ALLOW CHILDREN TO SWIM AROUND BOATS OR IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE WATER
SKIING.
• DON’T ALLOW CHILDREN TO PLAY IN BLOW UP TOYS IN WATER THAT IS ABOVE THEIR WAIST.
• EVEN IF THE CHILD HAS GOOD SWIMMING SKILLS, STILL FOLLOW ALL GUIDELINES LISTED ON THIS
TRAINING.

30. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
AGE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AND ISSUES
• TEENS
• TEENS ARE MORE LIKELY TO DROWN WHEN THEY
• OVERESTIMATE THEIR SKILLS
• ARE UNAWARE OF WATER CURRENT OR WATER DEPTH
• IF THEY ARE USING DRUGS OR DRINKING ALCOHOL NEAR WATER.
• INSIST THAT YOUR TEEN ALWAYS SWIMS WITH A BUDDY
• ENCOURAGE THEM TO TAKE SWIMMING, DIVING, WATER SAFETY AND RESCUE CLASSES.
• IF ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE IS KNOWN OR SUSPECTED, ENCOURAGE TEENS TO STAY AWAY FROM
WATER AND GET TO THE SAFETY OF HOME WHEN UNDER THE INFLUENCE.
• TEACH TEENS TO CHECK THE WATER DEPTH BEFORE DIVING AND ALWAYS ENTER THE WATER FEET
FIRST THE FIRST TIME THE WATER IS ENTERED.
• MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT ALL SAFETY GUIDELINES APPLY, NO MATTER HOW WELL
THEY SWIM.

31. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
• TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT THE RULES AROUND WATER:
• ASK FOR PERMISSION BEING GOING IN OR NEAR WATER.
• TEACH OLDER CHILDREN ALWAYS SWIM WITH A BUDDY
• TEACH YOUNGER CHILDREN OR INEXPERIENCED SWIMMERS TO
ALWAYS SWIM WITH A CAREGIVER OR TRUSTED ADULT
• TEACH ALL CHILDREN TO KEEP THEIR FLOATATION DEVICES OR
LIFE VESTS ON WHILE IN OR AROUND WATER
• WEAR LIFE VEST IF CAN’T SWIM. ALWAYS WEAR A LIFE JACKET
IN A LAKE OR OCEAN.
• NO DIVING INTO SHALLOW OR UNCLEAR WATER. FEET FIRST
INSTEAD

32. LAYERS OF PROTECTION
• TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT THE RULES AROUND WATER
(CONT.):
• NO RUNNING
• BE AWARE OF YOUR BODY. DON’T SWIM IF YOU ARE:
• TOO TIRED
• TOO COLD
• TOO FAR FROM SAFETY (FROM AN ADULT OR TOO FAR
FROM THE SHORE)
• TOO MUCH SUN
• TOO MUCH ACTIVITY
• NO CHEWING GUM OR EATING WHILE SWIMMING
• DO NOT ENGAGE IN “HORSEPLAY”. EXAMPLES OF
DANGEROUS GAMES:
• SEEING WHO CAN HOLD THEIR BREATHE FOR LONGER.
• DUNKING OR HOLDING CHILDREN UNDER THE WATER.

33. HOW TO RESPOND IN AN EMERGENCY
• ANYBODY SUPERVISING SHOULD BE TRAINED WITH BASIC
WATER COMPETENCY AND ADEQUATE SWIMMING SKILLS.
• THE FIRST STEP IS TAKING THIS TRAINING.
• WATER WATCHERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF WHERE THE
WATER SAFETY DEVICES ARE.
• AT LEAST TWO LIFE-SAVING DEVICES MUST BE AVAILABLE:
• REACH POLES
• BACKBOARD
• BUOY
• SAFETY THROW BAG

34. HOW TO RESPOND
IN AN EMERGENCY
• WATER WATCHERS SHOULD FEEL
COMFORTABLE
• SWIMMING AND ENTERING THE
WATER THEY ARE SUPERVISING.
• SWIMMING/SUBMERGING
THEMSELVES TO A CHILD WHO
MAY NEED HELP.
• GETTING THE CHILD OUT OF
THE WATER AND STARTING
CPR.
• IF THE WATER WATCHER IS NOT
COMFORTABLE WITH THESE TASKS,
THE CHILD SHOULD NOT BE
SWIMMING IN THAT WATER AND
THE ACTIVITY SHOULD STOP UNTIL
SOMEONE APPROPRIATE CAN
SUPERVISE OR THE CONDITIONS ARE
SAFER.

35. HOW TO RESPOND IN AN EMERGENCY
• WATER WATCHERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE SIGNS OF
DROWNING:
• WHEN A PERSON FIRST STARTS HAVING STRUGGLES,
“DISTRESSED SWIMMING”, THEY MAY BRIEFLY CALL OUT
OR WAVE.
• HOWEVER, IF THE PERSON CANNOT BREATHE ALREADY,
THEY DON’T HAVE THE BREATH TO SHOUT FOR HELP
• THERE MAY NOT BE ANY OBVIOUS NOISE OR SOUND TO
THEIR STRUGGLE.
• THERE MAY BE ONLY A FEW SECONDS BEFORE THEY SLIP
FULLY UNDER THE WATER.

36. AN ACTIVELY
DROWNING
ADULT/OLDER CHILD,
WILL USUALLY BE:
• VERTICAL IN THE
WATER, WITH ARMS
OUT TO THE SIDE
OR IN FRONT OF
THEM
• HEAD WILL BE AT
THE WATERLINE
AND TILTED BACK
SLIGHTLY
HOW TO
RESPOND IN
AN
EMERGENCY

37. • WATER WATCHERS SHOULD BE AWARE
OF THE SIGNS OF DROWNING (CONT.):
• INFANTS AND TODDLERS WILL
HAVE DIFFERENT SIGNS
• THEY DON’T HAVE THE
STRENGTH TO PUSH
THEMSELVES UP
• THEIR MOUTHS AND NOSES
WILL LIKELY BE UNDER THE
WATER
• ARMS AND LEGS WILL BE
BARELY MOVING
• MAY BE COMPLETELY
SUBMERGED OR FACE DOWN
ON SURFACE OF WATER
HOW TO RESPOND IN
AN EMERGENCY

38. HOW TO RESPOND IN AN EMERGENCY
• IF A CHILD IS MISSING, ALWAYS
CHECK THE WATER FIRST
• CHILDREN CAN DROWN IN SECONDS,
DON’T DELAY
• IF A LIFEGUARD IS PRESENT DURING
AN EMERGENCY, ALERT THEM
• RECOGNIZE WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS
HELP:
• NOT MAKING FORWARD PROGRESS IN THE
WATER
• VERTICAL BUT UNABLE TO MOVE OR
TREAD WATER
• MOTIONLESS AND FACE DOWN IN WATER

39. HOW TO RESPOND IN AN EMERGENCY
• AFTER RECOGNIZING THAT SOMEONE NEEDS
HELP:
• GET THE PERSON OUT OF THE WATER
• IF POSSIBLE, REACH OR THROW SOMETHING
INTO THE WATER INSTEAD OF GETTING IN
• THIS PREVENTS HAVING TWO VICTIMS
INSTEAD OF JUST ONE.
• ASK SOMEONE TO CALL 911 AND GET AN AED
(IF AVAILABLE), REMIND THEM TO COME BACK
TO HELP
• IF YOU ARE ALONE, START CPR AND RESCUE
BREATHING FOR AT LEAST 2 MINUTES
BEFORE LEAVING TO CALL 911/FIND A
PHONE

40. HOW TO RESPOND IN AN
EMERGENCY

41. NEED HELP TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT
WATER SAFETY?
• FOR TEENS:
• WATER SAFETY (FOR TEENS) -
NEMOURS KIDSHEALTH
• FOR YOUNGER KIDS:
• OUTDOOR WATER SAFETY (FOR KIDS)
- NEMOURS KIDSHEALTH

42. PLEASE TAKE THIS QUIZ TO GET CREDIT FOR
THE COURSE.
• EACH INDIVIDUAL MUST TAKE THE TEST SEPARATELY.
• PLEASE SAVE YOUR QUIZ RESULTS AND SEND TO YOUR AGENCY WORKER.
LINK TO TEST (PRESS CTRL AND THEN CLICK LINK)
• HTTPS://FORMS.OFFICE.COM/PAGES/RESPONSEPAGE.ASPX?ID
=NPMC3FXLN0S23JTXA_8SVCTR2J5YLPHPPSKR_JWLCJFUMENE
UZA2QTLVTDDBMJRJM0PINLZAVURRWI4U

43. SOURCES
• HTTPS://WWW.REDCROSS.ORG/GET-HELP/HOW-TO-PREPARE-FOR-EMERGENCIES/TYPES-OF-
EMERGENCIES/WATER-
SAFETY.HTML#:~:TEXT=KNOW%20YOUR%20LIMITATIONS%2C%20INCLUDING%20PHYSICAL,BOATIN
G%2C%20REGARDLESS%20OF%20SWIMMING%20SKILL
• HTTPS://WWW.WATERSAFETYUSA.ORG/WATER-COMPETENCY.HTML
• HOW TO SPOT THE REAL SIGNS OF DROWNING - CONSUMER REPORTS
• BASIC_WATER_SAFETY_RULES.PDF (JEFFCO.EDU)
• 9 SWIMMING SAFETY TIPS TO FOLLOW (DECATHLON.IN)
• WATER SAFETY—PREVENTION - HEALTH ENCYCLOPEDIA - UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER MEDICAL
CENTER
• WATER SAFETY - NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL (NSC.ORG)
• WATER SAFETY | US FOREST SERVICE (USDA.GOV)
• DFPS - SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT: WATER SAFETY (STATE.TX.US)