Swim Safety: Your essential guide to keeping kids safe in the water

The festive season is calling, and with South African schools closing over the summer break, parents usually try to find ways to keep their kids entertained.

Swimming, a favourite summer pastime in South Africa, is a popular choice. However, with the increase in drowning incidents during this season, emphasising swimming safety rules is more crucial than ever.

Christna van Wijk, a paramedic at ER24’s Western Cape East Metro branch provides insights on what she thinks are the most important swimming safety rules everyone should know.

Q: Is it safe to have children looking after other children when going to the beach/swimming pool (even if they know how to swim)?

A: No, it is not. No child should be left unattended or without adult supervision.

Q: How quickly can a child drown if left unsupervised or if no one nearby has the skills to assist?

A: A child can start to drown much earlier than people realise, a drowning can happen in as little as 20 seconds or less.

Q: For those who enjoy exploring nature with their children (e.g., hiking, camping in the summer), how can parents identify safe bodies of water for their children to swim in?

A: It is important that there are easy access and exit routes to water so that the parent can easily get in to save the child if they see they are struggling. Preferably in pools of water where there are no flowing currents and where the water is shallow enough for the child to stand and rest if needed. Diving into shallow water should not be allowed.

Q: What safety precautions should be taken if a child has a medical condition (like asthma or epilepsy) before swimming?

A: A medical alert bracelet could be useful for those who are near the child and for the medics on scene if no one is available to give information. Bright clothing is also important for swimwear so that it is easily visible. If leaving the child in someone else’s care, such as a swim coach, friend or family member, ensure that they know of the child’s medical conditions to remain extra vigilant.

Q: What are the key safety rules parents should enforce around swimming pools or any form of water?

A: Always have a buddy and never swim alone. Do not run around the side of the pool as one can easily slip. Do not dive into shallow water or dark bodies of water where it is unknown how deep it is or what lies beneath. The guardian/parent should never leave children unattended and always have a phone nearby in case of emergency to contact the emergency services. Also teach children to never joke around in the pool by means of pretending to drown or trying to “drown” one another.

Q: What first aid measures should parents know in case of a swimming-related emergency?

A: CPR is a crucial and essential skill that all parents should know. Knowing how to perform mouth-to-mouth ventilation is especially important in drowning-related emergencies as the main cause of arrest is often due to hypoxia (low level of oxygen) and not a cardiac issue.

Any drowning-related patient who is not in cardiac arrest should be placed in the recovery position (use your free hand to bend the person's knee farthest away from you to a right angle. Carefully roll the person onto their side by pulling on the bent knee towards you. Their bent arm should be supporting the head, and their extended arm will stop you rolling them too far. Make sure their bent leg is at a right angle) until help arrives – knowing what the recovery position is and how to perform this is important (unless there is concern about a spinal injury). If there is concern about a spinal injury, then parents should keep the patient's head still and prevent as little movement as possible until medical help arrives. Keeping a patient warm, removing wet clothing, and drying them is crucial in swimming-related emergencies. Hypothermia can set in fast, especially in cold water or if the child has been submerged for a prolonged time

Q: What are common mistakes people make during a drowning incident that increase the danger, and how can these be prevented?

A: There is a myth that sticking something in the patient’s mouth will help keep the airway open. However, this is dangerous, and nothing should ever be put in the mouth by non-medical trained people. Leaving the patient lying on their back can also be dangerous as their airway can become compromised. It is important (in the case where no spinal injury is suspected) to place the patient in the recovery position and do not put anything in the mouth. It is also important to start with CPR as soon as possible if cardiac arrest occurs.

Additionally, taking swimming lessons at reputable swim schools can help boost confidence and skills in the water, greatly reducing the risk of accidents. Creating a culture of safety around swimming can help ensure that summer remains a joyful and safe time for everyone.

Click here to view how to perform CPR on an adult, on a child or on a baby.

In any emergency, call ER24 on 084 124 for real help, real fast 24/7.