Go Jump in the Lake (But Do It Wisely)!

Tips from our expert, a former swim coach, for staying safe in water.
Child on stand up paddle board in lake

The first heatwave of the season hit recently, sending locals flocking to lakes, ponds and swimming holes. It was an early start for that type of heat, and with more uncomfortable stretches of 90-degree days likely in July and August, the urge to find a place to dive in and splash around will soon be back.

But with water comes risk.

“Water safety is hugely important,” says Monica Benjamin, DNP, a pediatric nurse practitioner at University of Vermont Health Network - Porter Medical Center. “You can't be safe enough around water.”

Water Safety Tips

Here the former swim coach and competitive swimmer shares her tips on staying safe this summer.

Beware what lies beneath (and above) natural bodies of water.

Vermont and Northern New York are home to countless lakes, ponds, streams and rivers, as well as dozens of swimming holes.

Heavy rains, floating or lodged debris, or even long periods of heat and drought can change currents, depths, and underwater structures in places like swimming holes and rivers. 

“You don't want to be swimming above or below waterfalls," Benjamin says. "Be realistic about your swimming ability in potentially very turbulent waters." River currents may be stronger than you realize and can push you downstream. Likewise, whirlpools can form near where the water hits, pulling you under.

According to a 2022 Vermont Swimming Hole Safety Guide, multiple drownings have occurred at Huntington Gorge, Cobb Brook, Bolton Potholes, Dog's Head Falls, Saxtons River, Hamilton Falls and New Haven River.

Benjamin says to avoid swimming alone and be aware of waterfalls, rocks, tree branches or any debris in the water. Also, always check water and weather conditions before you go.

If you travel to the ocean, be twice as vigilant.

“I'm a strong swimmer, and I still get nervous swimming in the ocean if I know there's a possibility of a rip current,” Benjamin says. “It's really easy to get stuck in them.”

You can spot a rip current in the ocean when there’s a narrow gap of darker, calmer-looking water next to areas of breaking waves and whitewater. Rip currents won't pull you under but instead pull you away from shore. Remember to stay calm and don’t swim against it.

If you're a good swimmer, swim parallel to shore until you've cleared the pull of the rip current. Swim with the waves, allowing them to push you to shore. Wave and yell to get the attention of people on shore.

Pay attention at the pool.

Swimming in a backyard pool might feel safer than a deep hole or narrow river, but Benjamin says pools are places where we tend to let our guards down.

“You can feel a little bit more lackadaisical and lenient because your home is your safe place,” she says. “People become less vigilant because they feel more comfortable.”

Drowning can happen in an instant for a child, weak swimmer or even an experienced one. Culprits can be anything from lack of adult supervision to alcohol intoxication to medical emergencies.

According to the American Red Cross, 87% of drowning fatalities in children younger than 5 happen in home pools or hot tubs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that children under age 5 should not use hot tubs.

Life jackets are a must for children.

Federal law requires life jacket use for children younger than 13 years on recreational boats in the United States. If your child is kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or canoeing, they should also wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, Benjamin says. (Adults should wear them, too.)

If children are still learning to swim, they should wear a life jacket whether they are in a pool, lake, pond swimming hole or river. Inflatable arm floaties, noodles and kickboards do not prevent drowning as children can slip off/out of them and be under the water quickly.

Even if your child is a capable swimmer in a pool, a life jacket in natural water is still a good idea, especially as waves, currents or an undertow can surprise swimmers of all abilities.

According to a 2021 Academy of Pediatrics study, reasons commonly used for not wearing a life jacket include:

  • Beliefs that drowning risk is low.
  • Life jackets restrict movement, are uncomfortable, or are unattractive.
  • Wearing a life jacket is a sign of fear or inexperience.

Recent changes in life jacket design address some of the concerns listed above, with more kid-friendly colors and increased flexibility and comfort.

Ask questions at kids’ programs and camps.

Let's say your child is attending a day camp that's visiting a nearby lake for the afternoon. Benjamin advises to ask questions to ensure your child's safety, including:

  • Are the counselors going to be the lifeguards or are there other lifeguards there?
  • Are the counselors strong swimmers?
  • How many lifeguards are there?
  • How are kids being supervised when they're in the water?
  • Do they have life vests for the kids to wear if they are not strong swimmers?
  • Is there a swim test that kids need to do before they can pass a certain point in the lake or enter the deep end of the pool?

You’re never too old for swimming lessons.

Whether you're 5 or 50, Benjamin says taking swimming lessons is a wise investment.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children start swimming lessons as early as age 1. The organization also advises parents to remain aware of their child’s swimming progress and to keep their child in lessons until basic water competency skills are achieved.

Look for adult and child swimming lessons offered at your local YMCA or at your town’s parks and recreation department.

“Being able to swim at least one length of a pool proficiently is a really important skill for anybody to have,” Benjamin says. “That’s especially true with how much access we have to lakes, rivers, ponds and pools in the region.”

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