Beach hazards
Heavy rains may result in animal and human fecal matter being washed into rivers and lakes, raising the water's bacteria levels. This increases the risk of infection in swimmers' skin, eyes, nose and throat and can cause stomach disorders.
Beaches may become strewn with floating debris, oil, scum or excessive algae growth. Beaches can also be plagued by bad odour and cloudy or murky water. These conditions may force the closure of area beaches. Watch for posted warning signs. If your family feels ill after swimming, contact the local conservation authorities.
Buying a life jacket or a personal flotation device (PFD)
Life jackets are designed to turn an unconscious person who is face down in the water face up so he can breathe. A PFD, on the other hand, is designed to keep the user afloat during recreational use.
Here are some tips when purchasing a life jacket or PFD.
• Check that it has been approved by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard or Transport Canada.
• Ensure that it fits snugly but does not immobilize you, and that it doesn't interfere with movement or breathing by riding up.
• Don't rely on inflatable toys for your kids because they can easily shift position. Children over 20 pounds should wear an approved PFD or life jacket that fits comfortably yet snugly when in, on or around water. (Transport Canada recommends waiting until your children reach 20 pounds before allowing them to engage in water activities.)
• PFDs should never replace adult supervision.
Diving safety
Nearly all diving accidents occur in backyard pools and involve young men, 15 to 25 years old, who are visitors to the pool. Here's how to avoid disaster.
• Have at least a 25-foot clear, horizontal dive path in front of you.
• Avoid back dives. They plunge the body into water faster and deeper than regular dives, while the head and neck are curved backward, making this dive a time bomb for neck injuries.
• Don't dive through objects such as inner tubes. Perfect aim could be foiled by movement of the object in water.
• Don't dive into unfamiliar bodies of water. Hidden objects such as large rocks can stop the dive short.
• Don't run and dive -– it creates the same impact as a dive from a board.
• Avoid dives with straight vertical entry. It takes a long time to recover after one of these dives.
• Dive with your arms extended above you to protect your head.
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