Parts of the country are opening up in waves, and summer temps are setting in. We here at One with the Water are providing you a quick update on the pools, parks, and beaches in LA County and the surrounding areas.

In May, Los Angeles County announced a new safer at home order that could be possibly extended through July. This safer at home order increases the number of businesses designated low risk, including outdoor recreation areas. Masks and social distancing are still required, but tennis courts, pickleball courts, shooting ranges, equestrian centers, bike parks, community gardens and more are currently re-opening for public use.

Public Pools and Beaches

Unfortunately, that doesn’t include pools for now. According to the LA County Safer At Home initiative, public pools in LA County remain closed for now.

Safer At Home Order: Examples of Openings

The good news, however, is that the County of Los Angeles has reopened beaches in limited ways to allow residents more outdoor recreation options.

“Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. Using public beaches can be an important way to relieve stress, get some fresh air and vitamin D, stay active, and safely connect with nature. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is crucially important that you follow these public health beach use requirements below in order to use beaches in a way that keeps you and others healthy.”

Public Health Protocol for reopening beaches.

Stay tuned for more updates.  We can’t wait to get back in the pool with you!

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Update on Public Pools: Los Angeles County appeared first on One with the Water.

With the COVID-19 crisis in full swing, many of us are turning to state parks, lakes, and of course, the ocean to return to the water. With that in mind, let’s do a quick refresher on safe swimming in natural bodies of water.

Safe Swimming in Natural Bodies of Water

First and foremost, understand the risks.

• Check the weather before leaving. Sudden weather changes can make the natural water setting more dangerous. (True story: I once accidentally went camping on the beach during a hurricane. That was a high-speed pack out. Seriously, check the weather before you go.) Even in known or designated swim areas, sudden inclement weather can change water levels and current and create new hazards. Once at your destination, continue to monitor the weather situation.
• Check out whether bacterial levels in the water are monitored at your local beach and whether the beach is open for swimming (information available from EPA and is only for U.S. coastal/marine and Great Lakes beaches).  Local Beach Information
• Pay attention to posted warnings, particularly current and tide conditions. More than 100 people die annually due to rip currents on our nation’s beaches. These strong currents can form on any shoreline where waves break and can carry a person away from the shore, so anyone near a beach must be careful.
• Watch out for the “dangerous too’s”: too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun and too much strenuous activity.
• Enter open water carefully. It is difficult to estimate water depth and to see hidden objects underwater in the natural environment. Head, neck, and back injuries can occur from hitting bottom or striking an object in the water.
• And finally, never, ever swim alone.

Healthy Swimming

Remember, too, that even in natural water environments, the rules for healthy swimming established by the CDC remain mostly the same.

Check for a lifeguard.

• If on duty, a lifeguard should be focused on the swimmers and not distracted.
• If no lifeguard is on duty, a “No Lifeguard on Duty” sign should be posted.
• If no lifeguard on duty, check to see where safety equipment, such as a rescue ring or pole, is available.

Check yourself.

• Stay out of the water if you have diarrhea.
• Stay out of the water if you have an open wound (for example, from surgery or a piercing) not covered with a waterproof bandage.

Protect yourself.

• Protect against sunburn by using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
• Use well-fitting Coast Guard-approved life jackets for flotation assistance rather than foam or air-filled toys.
• Don’t pee or poop in the water.
• Don’t swallow the water.
• Keep an eye on children at all times; kids can drown in seconds and silence.

Take frequent breaks.

• Take kids on bathroom breaks.
• Reapply sunscreen.
• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Dry ears thoroughly after swimming

Natural water swimming can do wonders for both mental and physical health, but as always, know before you go!

Sources:

• https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Water_Safety/WhereisitSafetoSwim.pdf
• https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/oceans-lakes-rivers/index.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/steps-healthy-swimming.html

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Safe Swimming in Natural Bodies of Water appeared first on One with the Water.

In fact, for all ages under 85, young people between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rates of drowning nationwide, and these typically occur in natural water settings, such as oceans, lakes, and rivers. Additionally, an astonishing 80% of those are male. 

So how do you protect your teen from drowning? Follow these seven simple, common-sense tips to keep your child from being a statistic. 

7 Water Safety Tips For Teens

1. In a boat, wear a lifejacket. Sounds simple, but as mentioned, most of these drownings occur in natural bodies of water. Protect yourself and your loved ones by adding this layer of protection when boating. 
2. Don’t allow your teen to swim alone. Most of the drownings in this age group occur when children are swimming without adult supervision. Never let your teen swim alone or hang out near water without adult eyes on the situation. 
3. Additionally, when at the ocean, pay attention to posted swim warnings. Don’t go in the water without lifeguards and avoid dangerous undertows. 
4. Water safety is a family affair! Both you AND your teen should learn CPR. Be prepared to assist in an emergency. (I can’t emphasize this enough after my own experience with almost losing a child to drowning. Every adult should know CPR.
5. Inflatable life rafts do not count as a life preserver. Please do not rely on them to keep your child safe. 
6. Teach your teen to be smart in the water. Choose safe places to swim and scout the area for submerged dangers. Learn to recognize when hidden obstacles or powerful undertows could be present. Don’t drink and swim. 
7. Finally, learn to swim! Swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88%. Know what to look for in a swim instructor (Not sure? Read this.) and follow up with premium swim lessons that will help your child to succeed both in the water and out. 

Parenting is hard. Keeping your children safe in seemingly scary times is hard. But we do have the tools, and we would encourage you to keep using them. Follow us here on the blog and Facebook for more safety tips, quality coaching, and swimming news. 

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Water Safety and Teens: 7 Ways to Keep Them Safe appeared first on One with the Water.

Did you know 4th of July is the number one holiday for alcohol consumption in the US? Combined with Independence day also being the busiest boating season, and prime time for water activities, it’s important to remember these vital safety tips both in and out of the water.

In no particular order:

1. Remember all water can be dangerous. Even inches.
2. Always swim with a buddy no matter what age you are.
3. Enter the water feet first. In natural bodies of water, have a good swimmer scout the water first for hidden dangers.
4. Weak swimmers should use a USCG approved lifejacket in the water, no floaties or noodles for drowning prevention.
5. Designate a water watcher or assign a lifeguard, but keep counting your own children. (It’s how we saved our son’s life). 
6. When not around the water, use pool barriers and other protective measures.
7. Avoid distractions when watching children. As in, STAY OFF YOUR PHONE.
8. Don’t consume alcohol when operating water toys, watching children, etc.
9. Assign swim breaks. Give yourself a chance to rest, rehydrate, and reapply sunscreen.
10. Educate yourself. Know what drowning looks like. (HiInt: It’s not what you think.)
11. If a child is lost or missing, CHECK THE WATER FIRST.
12. Learn CPR – this applies all year round! Drowning victims need oxygen – know how to give it.
13. Remember, swim lessons are the number one tool of drowning prevention. Register with us today if you haven’t yet taken this lifesaving step for you and your loved ones.

Now go out there and celebrate! (Safely).

Molly Huggins

Molly is a member of our creative team, mom of four water-loving babies, and a fierce advocate for CPR training and really early swim instruction.

The post Water Safety: July 4th Edition. appeared first on One with the Water.