Info for Parents, Guardians, Educators

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Ron Arendas — One Response ↓

Parents, babysitters, guardians, and educators all may have a responsibility to supervise children. When there are pools, spas, or other containers of water around the home or bodies of water in the area you are visiting, you must be aware of water safety principles that provide layers of protection for the children you are responsible for who are drawn to water even when you have no plans for swimming or water-based activities.

Here is a checklist of safe places to swim.

Babysitter Information

Babysitters need to be aware of safety principles in and around the home, including water safety. The American Red Cross has certification courses in Babysitting, First Aid/CPR, and Water Safety.

Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians are the primary supervisors of small children in and aound the water. They are also responsible for giving their children opportunities to learn swimming and water safety around swimming pools and other aquatic environments. In California, Florida, and several other states, adoptive/foster parents must be certified in first aid and CPR and receive an orientation course in water safety before they can qualify.

General Information and Training for Parents/Guardians

Layers of Protection

When parents and guardians consider ways of making water safety a part of family activities at home or on the road, they should avoid focusing on a single strategy or guideline. Rather, they must maintain layers of protection that overlap to ensure continuous and complete safety for all family members. Layers of protection include the following (not intended to be an exhaustive list):

  • Provide constant adult supervision at home, at swimming lessons, and anywhere there is water
  • Ensure complete barriers around backyard pools and spas, including child-proof self-latching gates
  • Use alarms and/or safety covers to further restrict access to the water
  • Provide swim lessons for children 4 years old and up; make sure to include water safety concepts as well
  • Have your family swim in designated swimming areas with lifeguard service only
  • Avoid hazards such as strong currents, waves, rocks, murky water of unknown depth or bottom conditions, etc.
  • Use life jackets when and where appropriate (i.e., while fishing, boating, enjoying water sports, etc.)
  • Be a good example; do not mix alcohol use with swimming, boating, or other activities around the water
  • Protect your family from the sun and be aware of other health hazards in and about the water

The following links give more information about how overlaying strategies and safety systems can ensure complete protection for your family:

 Educators and Group Leaders

In a broad sense, educators and group leaders can include school teachers, coaches, swimming instructors, camp counselors, etc. While working with children around the water, educators and leaders must provide adequate supervision and pertinent water safety information.

One Response to Info for Parents, Guardians, Educators
  1. aladom says:
    October 8, 2012 at 7:20 pm

    Thank you for those info. They will be useful for the babysitters using aladom.

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