Swim Safety Tips From Weymouth Club Aquatics Director And Navy Veteran

Summer is here and families are heading to the pools in droves. But, parents and guardians should take care to avoid distractions, which is at the top of list when it comes to keeping kids safe around any pool - at home, at a neighbor's house and even at a public pool monitored by a lifeguard.

Navy veteran Walter A. “Pete” Peters, a USA Certified Swim Coach, Lifeguard and the Aquatics Director at the Weymouth Club, a family-friendly fitness, wellness and recreation facility catering to residents throughout the South Shore, shares important pool and swim safety tips:

Avoid distractions.The cell phone is the biggest distraction, as parents often text or check email while their children are in the pool. Siblings or other children outside of the pool can also be a distraction. Even if children are swimming in shallow water or are wearing life jackets, they must be watched at all times.

Pay attention.Things happen in an instant, especially around water. Pay close attention to children when they are on the water slides, because they can flounder, yet parents don't realize they are in trouble because the children are in only two to three feet of water. Children can trip and fall into the pool, flip off the side of the pool or hit their head. If they fall into the water, they can breathe in water instead of air and get water in their lungs. When a non-swimmer is in the water, even in the shallow end, a parent should be within arms reach at all times.

Don't take chances.In general, kids get excited around pools and run. Whether they are at an outdoor pool and the pavement surrounding it is hot, or at an indoor pool where the floor tiles get slippery - there is a danger of tripping and falling. The rule is no running, period.

Don't trust pool inflatables. Anything that you blow air into, such as arm "floaties" or other pool inflatables, should not be relied on for safety. If you have a non-swimmer, be sure they are fitted with a Coast Guard approved life jacket, which is designed to put people face-up.

Check the depth.Whether you are at a pool, the ocean or any body of water, be aware of the water's depth. At the pool, know where the deep end is. Kids tend to jump into water right away, not realizing it’s the seven-foot deep end and well over their heads.

Wear sunscreen. Avoid sunburns by ensuring that everyone is wearing sunscreen, and be sure to reapply as directed after being in the water. Parents should apply sunscreen to themselves first, then to the children (to avoid distraction), prior to allowing them in the pool.

Wait at least 15 minutes after eating. To avoid coughing or choking, as well as bloating or vomiting in the pool, make sure children stay out of the pool for at least 15 minutes after eating.

Take child safety breaks every hour. Parents should have their children take 10-minute breaks each hour to regroup with them. Make sure the children drink water to avoid dehydration and heat exhaustion. Kids get tired, but won't tell their parents, so a 10-minute break each hour also gives parents an opportunity to determine if the kids have had enough pool time.

"When it comes to aquatics at the Weymouth Club, safety comes first, then member experience. Through our aquatics safety first approach, we test the children to determine if they can swim before they are even allowed near the water," explained Peters. "The lifeguard's job is to enforce the rules and keep everyone safe."

Prior to entering any of the Weymouth Club's five pools, children 12 years old and younger, are required to take a swim test. It's not a timed test, but rather a test to determine if a child can swim the 25-yard length of the pool without touching the bottom or sides of the pool. Children who pass the swim test are given a wristband to wear while at the pool.

Peters, who has more than 20 years of facility management, training and recruitment experience in both corporate and military environments, oversees operations, staff and activities within the Weymouth Club's Aquatics Department. He is a Certified Swim Coach (USA and Europe), a Certified USA Swimming Stroke and Turn Official, and a Lifeguard Instructor. He is also CPR, First Aid, and Lifeguard certified.

Weymouth Club's Aquatics Department offers a wide range of activities for all ages, from WAVES (Weymouth Aquatics Values Every Swimmer) Swim School and WAVES Swim Team, to water fitness, Masters swim program, Red Cross programs, warm water therapy pool and more. To learn more, visit www.weymouthclub.com/aquatics.