Safety tips with children in pools where there is no lifeguard

02 Oct Safety tips with children in pools where there is no lifeguard

Drowning is one of the most frequent causes of accidental infant mortality. This is what the WHO says, and it is also pointed out by different health authorities in our country. The most vulnerable population, according to statistics, is from 1 to 5 years old and these also indicate that private pools are where they occur the most.

It is not surprising considering that it is a space not supervised by lifeguards and first aid professionals and where mistakes tend to be more frequent due to the lack of respect that the sea or public swimming pools instill in adults.

Continuous Surveillance

Children, no matter how well they swim, must always be supervised. A mistake can be fatal even with children who swim well. For example, due to tiredness. Establishing surveillance shifts among adults so that the same person does not always have to take on the task and ensure that there is always someone in charge of it.

10/20 rules

This is the rule that every adult should memorize in summer if they are going to take care of one or several children in a pool, and even more so if there is no lifeguard in it. It means ” look at the pool at least every 10 seconds and reach it in less than 20 seconds and be ready to grab the minor with your arm”.

Assess Risks

It is convenient to ensure access to the private pool and keep it inaccessible to the child throughout the summer, except for times when an adult is constantly watching. In this sense, the gate is important, of course, but also the height of the fence, for example.

Protection Levels

Safety devices to guarantee the floatation of the minor is a magnificent ally. The moment the child sets foot in the garden or patio where the pool is located, it is advisable that they put on their corresponding flotation device. You have to be aware of it, but it is also advisable to get him used to it by making him understand why it is so important that he does not hang around the pool without it on.

Learning And Education

Teaching correct habits to the child so that he acts with prevention is essential, not only for the present but also for the future. In addition, we must take advantage of the opportunity that summer offers to teach the little ones to float and, if possible and they are of an age to achieve it, to swim.

Rescue Device

Before starting the swimming pool season, we must make sure that we have at least one rescue element on hand. It can be a pole, also a lifesaver, and it doesn’t hurt to have the phone always located when watching children in a private pool.

Order

This is one of the safety tips that is almost never carried out out of sheer carelessness in private pools. It is about “moving toys and flashy elements away from the pool and surroundings when they are not in use,”

Drains

To use a private pool responsibly, you must have sufficient minimum knowledge about its operation. And the drains and sinks are the most delicate areas in this regard. It is essential to keep their maintenance and inspection up to date and explain to children that they should stay away from them for safety reasons.

Security Elements

Including a fence around the pool or any other safety barrier that prevents children from reaching the water independently is very interesting. Pool covers and alarms are also sold.

Emergencies

Having knowledge of first aid is highly recommended for adults who live with children who are often supervised in a private pool without a lifeguard. Here we tell you the main differences in cardiac resuscitation in the different child age groups. And do not forget, in addition, to teach children to call the emergency number so that they can act in case an adult cannot do so.

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