• Powered by MBC DirectoryMaker

• American Red Cross - How To Be Water Safe This Summer

• Tweet

Summer vacation usually means countless hours of free time to spend under the sun swimming and spending time with friends and family. As much fun as it is to splash around and dive into that crisp, cool water, it is extremely important to know what to do, or not to do, when taking a trip to the beach or pool.

Since this is the prime time for beach and pool-goers, the Hawaii Red Cross wants to stress the importance of active adult supervision and making sure that everyone knows how to swim, in order to prevent emergencies from happening. Having basic water safety knowledge and skills ensures that those trips will be safe and fun, and that people will make good choices in and around the water.

For those accompanying young children and newer swimmers, it is important to remember to stay within arm's reach of your child in the water because drowning can occur quickly and silently. The list below includes tips to help everyone stay safe at the beach and pool this summer:

1. Be water smart! Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well.
2. Use a life jacket! Whether you're aboard a boat or in a situation beyond your swimming level, remember to bring a life jacket and use it! Inflatable children's toys and water wings can be fun, but they are not a substitute for a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
3. Practice the buddy system! Swim in pairs in a lifeguarded area.
4. Be ready for anything! Know what to do to help someone in trouble without putting yourself in danger as well; know how and when to call 9-1-1; and know CPR.

The Red Cross and its Scientific Advisory Council have determined a set of critical water safety skills, which include being able to:

1. Step or jump into the water above your head
2. Return to the surface and float or tread water for 1 minute
3. Rotate in a full circle and find an exit
4. Swim 25 yards to the exit
5. Exit from the water (if in a pool, be able to exit without using the ladder)

If you're planning on taking your family out to the beach or pool when the weather gets hot, we highly suggest that you be able to swim well enough to perform these water competency skills. But if you can't just yet, the Red Cross, in partnership with the Honolulu City and County, have free swimming lessons available. Those interested in taking a swim lesson can go to the Department of Parks and Recreation Fall Program website to register online or to find out how to register in person:http://www.honolulu.gov/parks.html On-Line Registration for Non-Fee classes.

Like Our Facebook

• RELATED LINKS

• American Red Cross of Hawaii
  The American Red Cross of Hawaii prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
• 
  American Red Cross Hawaii Volunteer Opportunities
  With your help, the promise of neighbor helping neighbor in times of trouble becomes a reality and our communities become safer places to live. Show your aloha and become a volunteer for the American Red Cross in Hawaii.
• 
  American Red Cross - Hawaii - Prepare for Hurricane / Disaster Resources & Tips
  Get tips and resources to prepare for disaster. In Hawaii due to our isolation, we encourage all families to be prepared. Hurricanes, Tsunamis, Volcanoes, Floods, Fires, Terrorism, Power Outage, Pandemic Influenza. Make sure you are ready! View Tips...

• Kaimuki Hawaii.Com Home Page
  View our featured events, news, businesses and primary links on our home page.
• Featured Sponsors Offers
  Great offers from our sponsors who support the Kaimuki Honolulu, Hawaii community. More...
• Kaimuki Hawaii Directory
  View Kaimuki, Hawaii primary directories. businesses, non profits, public, government and jobs.
• Calendar
  Check out things to do in Kaimuki on the calendar of events.
• News
  Keep up with the latest news and happenings in your Kaimuki community.
• Kaimuki Hawaii Featured Pages
  View our directory of feature pages showcasing all the great things Kaimuki, Honolulu, Hawaii has to offer. Go Green in Kaimuki, restaurants, shopping, WiFi Hot Spots, fitness, health, real estate, home and garden, 80+ more directories... More...