People Unclear About How to Stay Safe in the Water

The following is an edited release from the  American Red Cross of Eastern Massachusetts :

Even though nearly two-thirds of families with small children plan on swimming in areas without lifeguards this summer, many people don't know the right thing to do in water emergencies or how to keep their loved ones safe in the water, according to a new American Red Cross poll.

The Red Cross poll found 63 percent of families with children plan on swimming in an area without a lifeguard this summer. Nearly half of those polled had never taken swimming lessons.

Nearly half of Americans say they have had an experience where they were afraid they would drown, according to the findings. Overall, four in 10 (41 percent) say they know someone who was in danger of drowning, which is an increase of 16 percentage points from a similar 2009 Red Cross survey.

Two-thirds of those asked mistakenly believe that putting inflatable armbands, or "water wings," on children is enough to keep them safe when an adult is not nearby. These are not lifesaving devices, and children and weak/inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets while remaining under constant adult supervision.

The survey findings show people mistakenly believe some steps such as having a swimming buddy or flotation device will keep them safe. For example, while the Red Cross recommends that people always swim with a buddy in designated swimming areas supervised by lifeguards, buddies alone are not enough to keep swimmers safe.

Another concerning finding in the survey was that most of those polled were unsure of the right steps to take when someone appears to be in distress in the water: Ninety-three percent of people were unable to identify the correct order of actions to take to help a swimmer who may be in danger of drowning.

"The correct steps to take when you see a swimmer who needs help is to shout for help, reach or throw the person a rescue or flotation device and tell them to grab it; then call 9-1-1 if needed," said Jarrett Barrios, CEO of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. "People think that if a person isn't calling out for help that they must be OK. However, he or she is likely using all her energy to just try to stay above water."

He added, "People think they should enter the water to save someone, but often this endangers the life of the rescuer."

  Other signs of a swimmer in trouble include:

• Treading water and waving an arm
• Doggie paddling with no forward progress
• Hanging onto a safety line
• Floating on their back and waving their arms
• Arms extended side or front, pressing down for support, but making no forward progress
• Positioned vertically in the water, but not kicking legs
• Underwater for more than 30 seconds
• Floating at surface, face-down, for more than 30 seconds

The Red Cross encourages all household members to enroll in age-appropriate water orientation and Learn-to-Swim programs. An infographic highlighting survey results has been developed. People can find additional water safety information at redcross.org/watersafetytips.