Drowning Prevention in Teens
Drowning is the second leading cause for death in young people up to the age of 24. Whenever your teen is going to be around water, remind him or her about these general water safety tips:
Never swim alone.- Learn how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and keep up to date on training.
- Learn to be a confident and competent swimmer. (However, this does not prevent drowning or injury.)
- Never walk on ice alone or without parent permission.
Safety at the Pool
- Teach your teen never to dive into water less than 9 feet deep.
- Make sure that rescue equipment and a phone are within easy reach.
- Warn your teen about the danger of pool drains. Hair and other body parts (e.g., hands, feet) can become entrapped in malfunctioning drains, causing drowning.
Safety at the Lake, River, or Ocean
- Allow your teen to swim only in designated swim areas and obey rules for diving.
- Rely only on Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) and make sure your teen has the proper size PFD for his or her weight. Always wear a PFD when on board a boat of any kind (e.g., powerboat, sailboat, canoe, kayak).
- Insist that your teen does not swim alone, even if a lifeguard is present.
- Help your teen become aware of currents, riptides, undertow, changing weather patterns, and the dangers of swimming in very cold water.
