| Splashing around in the pool is one of the best ways to
wile away the hot summer day It's also fun to party poolside with
friends and family.
But remember: Drinking and diving don't mix.
It is well documented that alcohol impairs
perception, judgment and reaction time - all of which are essential for
water safety.
Here are several do's and don'ts about
diving in recreational pools that can make playing in the pool the kink
of pleasure it ought to be:
- Don't drink or take drugs when diving. About half of all diving
in juries are associated with pre-dive alcohol or drug
consumption. Diving requires many high-level physical skills that
are depressed or distorted by alcohol and other drugs.
- Do know the depth of the water and make sure it is deep enough for
your dive.
- Do be sure that there are no submerged floating objects, such as
other swimmers, inner tubes or floats, in the water.
- Don't dive into an above ground pool.
- Don't slide head first down a pool slide.
- Do remember to steer your body upward as y ou dive. Keep your
head up and your arms extended over you head. Steer up with your
hands once you enter the water.
- Do keep your dives simple. Save fancy and competitive dives for
a competition pool.
- Do take y or diving lessons from a qualified instructor.
- Don't push or throw anyone in the water. It is seldom funny and
is the cause of many accidents.
- Don't try to dive into an inner tube or other toys.
- Don't take your eyes off children when they are near a pool, even for
a second. There rarely is a call for help or a splash before a
drowning. Don't relax your vigilance even if there are barriers
around the pool.
In addition to these helpful hints, here are
some important tips all pool owners should abide by:
- Learn to swim. The best thing anyone - kids and adults - can do to
stay safe in and around the water is learn to swim.
- Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence
with vertical bars no more than four inches wide.
- Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can
attract young children in to the pool.
- Always keep basic lifesaving equipment close by and know how to use
it. Pole, rope and personal floatation devices are recommended.
- Install or keep a phone by the pool so that you can call 9-1-1 in an
emergency. Also try to post CPR instructions in the pool area
where they are visible.
This article taken from the Buyers Edge April 18, 2001
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