Water Safety Education

Water Safety Education

for Parents & Caregivers

Self Assessment

One more thing to consider before taking your Self Assessment..... April 2010: I just attended the Nebraska Recreations & Parks Association Aquatics convention. The presenter was Dr. Tom Griffiths of the Water Safety Research Group. www.aquaticsafetygroup.com. Dr. Griffiths is one of the industry leaders in the field of aquatics safety and risk management. The presentation was very informative. I learned a lot and recommend you visit his site. Recently Dr. Griffiths introduced a new program called "Note & Float" that advocates for tagging swimmers and for the use of flotation devices by non-swimmers in recreational pools and water parks. The Group is promoting this as a national program. You may hear about this program or visit a pool that uses the program. I have the utmost respect for Dr. Griffiths and share his passion for keeping children safe in the water. Having studied the components of the program, I stand by the recommendations made throughout our online course.

Non-swimmers should not attend water parks and pool parties - jacketed or not.
The use of lifejackets dramatically lengthens the time it takes a child to learn to swim independently.
Lifejackets can be an added layer of protection for skilled swimmers in open water and at water parks. They are not an appropriate tool to use to allow children to participate in a potentially dangerous activity for which they are unprepared. Non-swimmers should not be "swimming" in open water and/or at water parks jacketed or not.
The responsibility for keeping non-swimmers safe lies with the parents and caregivers.
And one last time.... The keys to preventing drownings are vigilant, active supervision while using the pool, and preventing unauthorized access to the pool.

Upon completion of the Water Safety Education Self-Study Course answer the following questions to test your knowledge.

Review the course information for any questions you miss. Take the assessment quiz as many times as necessary to be confident that you know the material. This is important, life-saving information. It is worth of the time it takes to understand thoroughly.

Certificates of Completion are available. The administrative fee is $5 per certificate. Certificates will be emailed to you. Request a certificate only when you are able to complete the quiz easily and successfully.

IMPORTANT: All of the course materials including this self-evaluation are provided at no charge. Taking the test does not obligate you to pay for a Certificate of Completion. OPTIONAL, but helpful and fun: We would like to know who is taking the course. We do not keep any records of email addresses, just a tally by city and state. We would appreciate a short email response when you've finished the course telling us the name of your city and state and how many people in your household or business completed the course. Any comments about the course content and format or sharing of personal water safety annecdotes would also be great! There's a link at the bottom of this page, just below the certificate request link. Click that to send us an email. If you are requesting a certificate, you do not need to also send an email to be included in the tally. To get a certificate you need to list your city and state. Thanks!

Part 1: Teach Your Child to Swim First ¬ Click to review course information.

1. When should children learn how to swim?

2. What is the primary goal of swimming instruction?

Teaching your child to swim is one of the layers of protection

you must put in place to keep your family safe. However, there is never any

guarantee that there won’t be an accident. No one is “drownproof” or “watersafe.”

Children, especially young children, aren’t even “livingroom safe.”

Children need supervision.

Part 2: Safe Pools & Safe Water ¬ Click to review course information.

1. List three "layers" of protection you can put in place to protect your family.

2 .

Click to see correct answers.

2. Test yourself on the CDC recommendations for healthy swimming behaviors.

Refrain from swimming when you have
Avoid swallowing pool water or even getting it in your mouth.
before swimming and after using the toilet or changing diapers.
Take children on bathroom breaks or check diapers often.
Change diapers in a and not at poolside.

3. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act was enacted in December 2007. It contains federal regulations that require the use of equipment that protects against and evisceration.

Supervision is your primary layer of protection.

Take advantage of the products available to safeguard your pool,

but remember, all the technology in the world can't bring back the lifeless

body of a child that drowned unnoticed.

Part 3: Supervision ¬ Click to review course information.

1. List the two conditions that must be present before you would consider allowing your child to go to a guarded swimming pool without you.

2. What is Touch Supervision?

3. If you see something...

Vigilant Surveillance is the primary duty of all lifeguards to prevent accidents.

But in reality, vigilance is, by human nature, very difficult to maintain, particularly

when the visual tasks required by lifeguards become boring, repetitive

and routine. Youth, inexperience, fatigue, heat, and sun also negatively affect

the ability of a lifeguard to maintain vigilant surveillance.

Part 4: Open Water & Boating ¬ Click to review course information.

Some common sense open water safety practices include bringing your own safety equipment when open water swimming, wearing lifejackets when boating, and swimming only during designated .

Click to see correct answers.

Be aware of small bodies of water your child might encounter, such as fishponds,

ditches, fountains, rain barrels, watering cans, and even the bucket you use when

you wash the car. Children are drawn to places and things like these and need

constant supervision to be sure they don't fall in.

Part 5: Diving ¬ Click to review course information.

1. The number one rule for diving is .

2. Do not allow into any backyard pool.

Diving injuries are rare, but when they do occur, the results can be catastrophic.

Improper diving into a swimming pool or other body of water may lead to serious

neck and spinal injuries which include paralysis. A number of these occur yearly,

with the majority happening in shallow water. Three out of four diving accidents

occur in natural bodies of water.

Part 6: Hotels & Water Parks ¬ Click to review course information.

1. B-T Aquatics recommends that you never allow your child in a hotel .

2. Water Parks are not the same as Amusement Parks. B-T Aquatics recommends that water parks are only for .

The two main issues at both hotel pools and water parks are Pool Access

and Water Chemistry. My recommendations for hotel pools and water

parks are never very well received. Many people feel strongly about taking their

non-swimmers to water parks. I stand by the advise listed here. Keep your child safe. -jn

Part 7: Pool Parties ¬ Click to review course information.

1. Pool parties are for children who .

2. Parent supervisors and water watchers do not take the place of .

Children's pool parties are the most fun when they are restricted to invited guests.

Younger and older siblings and tagalong neighbors and friends increase the risk

and diminish the fun for the guest of honor.

Part 8: It's Your Choice ¬ Click to review course information.

Think before you swim... Commercial swimming facilities do their best to provide safe environments for your activities. You are responsible for making good choices. You are responsible for selecting programs and activities suited to your skills, abilities, and health. By electing to use the facilities you assume risk for harm or injury you sustain. By your voluntary participation as a participant or spectator, you could be injured. Take responsibility. Do not take risks or do activities that may not be appropriate. Ask questions. If you have any questions about your health and how it might be affected by exercise or other activities at a swimming pool, contact your doctor and obtain permission before participating. A complete physical is recommended before beginning any exercise program. Pay attention to your surroundings. Be aware of the presence of others while you participate. Do not engage in activities that could injure others. Report any unusual significant hazard during your presence or participation and remove yourself from participation. If you bring belongings to a facility, you are responsible for their care and safety. They could be lost, stolen, or damaged. Immediately contact a staff member if you have any problems or concerns.

Course Completion Certificate

This course is free. You are not obligated to pay for any of this information. We want everyone to be safe in and around the water. The course content is provided at no charge. If you want or need a Certificate of Completion, you need to complete the self-evaluation exam as many times as it takes until you feel comfortable that you know the material and pay a $5 per certificate administration fee. Certificates of Completion are issued to individuals who attest that they have read the course content and successfully completed the self assessment quiz.

Once again, this is important potentially lifesaving information. It is worth the time it takes to make sure you understand the material. Request your certificate only when you are confident in your water safety knowledge. Contact the B-T Aquatics office if you have questions or need additional information. aquatics@brownell.edu 402.556.1205

"I have read the course content and successfully completed the self assessment quiz.

Please email my Certificate of Completion."

Click for: Certificate Request & Payment Page

Please tell your friends about our pool and this course. Visit the B-T pool soon.

QUESTIONS? NEED MORE INFORMATION?

We are here to help.

Contact B-T Aquatics for more information on

these or other water safety issues.

Jeanie Neal, Aquatics Director

B-T Aquatics

400 N. Happy Hollow Blvd.

Omaha, NE 68132

402.556.1205

jeneal@brownell.edu

ANSWERS

Layers of Protection

Access doors to the pool area with high locks are a layer of protection.
Alarms o access doors are another layer of protection
A pool safety barrier such as a fence or wall separating the pool from your home and all access doors and entrances is one more layer of protection.
Pool alarms can provide another layer of protection.
Water survival training - swimming lessons - for a child when is he capable of crawling to the pool allows for another few precious seconds.
Keeping a telephone at poolside could prove to be an invaluable aid in the event of an accident.
Do not leave objects in the pool that could attract your child.
"Staging platforms" such as tables and chairs, should not be kept near a pool fence.
Do not allow the pool area to be used as a play area. The pool is for swimming only. Isolating the pool area to be used for swimming is the most essential concept of drowning prevention.
CPR and your knowledge of rescue techniques are a layer of protection should there be an accident.
Finally, an Emergency Action Plan is a must for anyone who has a backyard pool.

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SWIM TIMES

Children should not be allowed to drift in and out of the water when you are at the river, lake, or beach. Make sure that an adult is actively supervising the swimmers, and take plenty of breaks for water and resting.

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