With many families across Southeastern Pennsylvania gearing up for summer trips to backyard pools, water parks, and coastal beaches, safety remains a top priority. However, many people drastically overestimate their abilities in the water. From the American Red Cross, this is a clear framework to help you and your family understand what it truly means to be “water competent”. Water competency means much more than just knowing how to swim. It’s a full combination of safety awareness, physical skills, and the ability to respond to an emergency. 

Situational Awareness & Prevention

Drowning prevention starts a long time before you step into the water. It involves understanding your aquatic environment, recognizing hidden hazards like rip currents or sudden drop-offs, and establishing strict safety habits. Here are some tips to stay smart when on the water:

• Swim with supervision: Always swim with a buddy and choose areas with a lifeguard on duty.
• Designate a Water Watcher: Have a responsible adult focus entirely on supervising swimmers without cell phone distractions.
• Use layers of protection: A four-sided fence, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is the best way to prevent unsupervised access around backyard pools.
• Wear life jackets: Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when boating, fishing, or if you are an inexperienced swimmer.

The Five Lifesaving Swim Elements

If you or a family member unexpectedly falls into deep water, being water competent means you have the physical capability to survive. The Red Cross defines this through a sequence of five critical skills that everyone should master:

• Enter water that is over your head and successfully return to the surface.
• Float or tread water for at least 1 minute to catch your breath and conserve energy.
• Turn completely around in a 360-degree circle to orient yourself toward safety.
• Swim at least 25 yards (the length of a standard pool) to find an exit.
• Exit the water safely, even if there is no ladder available.

Emergency Response & Safe Rescue

Drowning is often surprisingly fast and silent. Part of water competency is recognizing when someone is in trouble and knowing how to safely assist without becoming a victim yourself.

• Reach or Throw, Don't Go: Never jump in after a drowning person, as panic can cause them to pull you under. Instead, reach out with a pool noodle or throw a flotation device.
• Call for help: Notify lifeguards or dial 911 immediately.
• Learn CPR: Knowing bystander CPR can double or triple a drowning victim’s chance of survival while waiting for paramedics to arrive. The American Red Cross offers Hands-Only and full CPR classes for certification.

Keeping these fundamental practices in mind will ensure a secure and enjoyable environment for your loved ones, so don't forget to check out our local chapter's upcoming swim classes and safety certifications to get fully prepared! Visit redcross.org/takeaclass for more information. 

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- Written by Zain Ahmad