Summer Safety Series: Water Safety

In our previous two installments of the Summer Safety Series, we talked about heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Cooling off in the water is a great way to avoid these other two heat related illnesses but it can pose some very real dangers. The risk of water-related injury or death when in, on or near the water is far greater than perceived. However, being aware of these dangers is a great way to stay safe and enjoy your time in the water this summer. Here are some tips to ensure you stay safe while enjoying the water this summer:

Partner up
Swimming with a partner is one of the best, and easiest practices in staying safe around the water. Even the most experienced swimmers can become tired or experience muscle cramps while swimming. In a situation like this your partner can offer you assistance while also calling out for further help. 

Check water currents
Water currents can be powerful enough to sweep away those who enter them. Before entering the water, take in to consideration how fast the water is flowing. If you think the water is flowing quickly or are unsure, stay out of the water. Check with your local conservation authority for river flows before heading out in to the water. If swimming at a beach, look for flags indicating the power of undertows or ask a lifeguard if one is present.

Do not dive in unknown waters
Diving head first into the water should only be done if and when the depth of the water is well known. Although you may not be able to see the bottom, this does not guarantee the water is deep enough to dive. There may be hidden dangers like rocks hidden by murky waters. Oppositely, just because you can see the bottom, the actual depth of the water can be deceiving when looking from above. 

Supervise children
Children should never be left unsupervised in or near water. It only takes a few seconds for a child to drown in the absence of an adult. Any time you need to leave the children unsupervised, make sure they are well clear of the water. It takes only a few centimetres of water for a child or baby to drown. For every drowning death, there are numerous non-fatal near-drownings that require hospitalization. 

Swim within the buoys
When there are buoys indicating a designated swimming area, do not stray from their confines. Outside of swimming area may be hidden dangers such as marine life, rocks, or boating traffic. The water is just as nice inside the buoys as it is outside!

Learn how to tend to drowning and other conditions by taking a first aid and CPR course! For a list of all available courses and dates click here.
To stay current with more lifesaving skills or to receive updates from Save-A-Life sign up for our quarterly newsletter by clicking here.

Winter is Here. Are you prepared for all it can throw at you?

We all need to take time to enjoy the great outdoors and especially in the winter. Winter, however, brings with it additional risks that we need to be aware of and prepare for. 

We, not only, need to prepare for such risks, but also, we need to be able to recognize when somebody is suffering from the cold. Can you recognize a cold related emergency when you see one? 

Hypothermia

Hypothermia is a cold related emergency in which the person's core body temperature begins to drop below normal (37 degrees celsius). When this happens, the person's health is at risk and their life can possibly be threatened. 

Mild Hypothermia - The person is in no grave danger. They will be cold and shivering at this point, although their core temperature stays relatively normal (it can possibly slightly below normal). The person may have some numbness or lack of sensation in their extremities, especially their fingers and toes. 

Moderate Hypothermia - The person is becoming increasingly at risk for developing sever hypothermia. At this point their core temperature begins to fall. The numbness they are experiencing in their extremities may begin to make its way in to larger body parts. The person will be shivering quite rapidly. This can affect their behaviour, judgment and coordination. 

Severe Hypothermia - The person is in grave danger. They need to receive advanced medical care. Their core body temperature will drop below 30 degrees celsius and they stop shivering and complaining of the cold. Their behaviour and judgement will still be impaired and may actually cause unconsciousness. 

Caring for Hypothermia - Warm the person up gradually. Warming a person too rapidly can cause dangerous heart arrhythmias. If it is severe hypothermia call 911 immediately. 

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Learn how to tend to hypothermia and other conditions by taking a first aid and CPR course. For a list of all available courses and dates click here.

To stay current with more lifesaving skills or to receive updates from Save-A-Life sign up for our quarterly newsletter by clicking here.

Learn how to Save-A-Life today!