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Date: June 5, 2007 Subject: Swimming Safety
As the hot weather approaches, one of the many outdoor activities will include swimming in pools, ponds and the ocean. In recent years, the searing temperatures, have unfortunately been accompanied by several drownings in our local area. One of which took place in Flax Pond, as the victim attempted to retrieve a soccer ball from the water. This individual, who was not a strong swimmer, quickly discovered he was over his head, and drowned. His friends attempted to save him, and they too almost became victims. Another incident took place at a reservoir, as the victim was attempting to assist a small child who was struggling in the water. There was a sudden drop off close to the shore, and he drowned in approximately twenty feet of water. The Lynn Police Department would like to take this opportunity to encourage caution around bodies of water, during the upcoming summer months. Ponds and reservoirs often contain logs, tree branches, weeds and other items which may not be visible, and a swimmer can unsuspectingly become entangled in these hazards. A person wading in waist deep pond water, which is usually not clear, could suddenly find the bottom drops off into deeper water, even while close to the shoreline. When swimming at the beach, please use caution and know your limits. Ocean currents can quickly tire even the strongest of swimmers. If you are not a regular swimmer, or do not know how to swim, please respect this fact, and do not compromise your safety. Swimming pools are an obvious concern, but often overlooked as potential hazards, are plastic and inflatable toddler swimming pools. It is imperative that a parent, guardian, or some other responsible adult, constantly watch children, no matter what type of pool they are in. If you must go inside, even briefly, never leave children unattended. Please make them exit, and stay away from the pool. A child could easily slip and strike his or her head, become unconscious, and drown, no matter how shallow the water is. Additionally, toddler pools need to be emptied soon after their use. If not, this could create a dangerous situation for young children who wander out of sight. It is illegal to swim in reservoirs, and one may be arrested for doing so. Places where you are allowed to swim, will typically have signs posted explaining cautions and restrictions. When planning a day near a body of water, know your exact location, if possible carry a cell phone. In the event of an emergency, this will help first responders find you, and will save precious minutes. It is critical that you call 911 immediately, never assume that someone else has already called. If you plan on entering the water, don’t be too proud to bring a floatation device. This is especially recommended for children, boaters, and people who do not frequently swim. It is important to realize that swimming is more than a leisure activity. It is an exercise, and just like any other, if you are not conditioned, you can instantly develop muscle cramps and fatigue. When this occurs, unlike jogging, you can’t simply stop and rest. When faced with such a dilemma, one quickly realizes the imminent danger at hand, which can lead to panic. A floatation device may help prevent such a situation from unfolding. In a pinch, a branch, spare tire, basketball or other object might also act to work as such.
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