Summer Water Safety Tips

Vermont’s many lakes, ponds, and swimming holes are the perfect place to relax on a summer day and cool off when the temperature rises. But the enticing waters can also be dangerous. 

On average, eight Vermonters die each year from drowning, according to the Vermont Department of Health. Almost all Vermont drowning accidents (91 percent) occur in natural bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds, and rivers. Recent drowning incidents in Vermont have involved canoes capsizing while paddlers weren’t wearing life jackets, and swimmers being sucked under the surface after being caught in swimming hole rapids. 

To help you and your family stay safe while enjoying the water this summer, this article provides boating and swimming safety tips. 

Boating Safety Tips

Whether you’re paddling a kayak or operating a motorboat, one the most important things you can do to stay safe is to wear a personal flotation device (PFD), also known as a life jacket. Each person aboard any type of watercraft should have one, and in Vermont boat passengers under age 12 are required to wear a PFD.

When worn correctly, PFDs give you more buoyancy and help keep your head above the water. However, standard foam-filled PFDs can be bulky and hot. Newer types of PFDs are available that can be inflated once they are in the water, either automatically or by pulling a cord to activate a gas cartridge. They can be a vest or waistpack. Inflatable PFDs have a slimmer profile and are more comfortable, especially when paddling.

A PFD should be the right size for the person wearing it. Adults should measure their chest to determine the correct PFD size. For children, sizing is determined by weight.

To adjust a PFD so that it fits you properly, put it on and tighten the straps until it feels snug. It needs to be tight enough that it won’t slip off when you are in the water, but it should not restrict your motion. With a standard PFD, you can have another person tug up on the shoulder straps to see if the top of the PFD moves above your chin. If it does, tighten it some more.

Other tips for boating safety include:

• Know the weather forecast. Thunderstorms can hit suddenly and waves caused by high winds can easily capsize a small boat. Check the forecast before you head out and monitor weather activity while you are on the water by bringing a weather radio or through cell phone apps. Be prepared to get to shore quickly when a storm approaches — don’t try to “ride it out.”
• Don’t drink alcohol. Not only is it illegal to operate a boat under the influence, alcohol impairs your ability to swim if there’s an accident. 
• Understand the rules. Like driving a car on land, there are rules for operating a boat. Get to know them by taking a boating safety course (in Vermont, it’s required for boat operators born after Jan. 1, 1974). Upcoming courses are listed on the Vermont State Police website. 
• Have a way to summon help. If you have an accident and are in the water, a whistle or other signaling device can alert other boaters or people on land that you need help. Securely attach it to your PFD so you can easily use it. 
• Let someone know where you are going. Give a family member or friend on land an itinerary of where you are going and when you expect to be back. If there’s a change, be sure to let them know. 
• Practice how to wet exit. Kayakers can be trapped underwater in an overturned kayak. Learn how to “wet exit” your boat, turn it upright, and reenter it while in the water. Check for classes at stores that sell kayaks or there are many YouTube instructional videos. Practice wet exit techniques with a friend in shallow water until you can do it quickly and successfully. 
• Carry a rope or tow strap in your boat. If someone in your group gets in trouble, you can use the rope or strap to help them. You’ll also be able to assist other boaters.

Swimming Safety Tips 

Here are some tips to stay safe while swimming at your favorite spot this summer. 

• Never swim alone. Always take a family member or friend with you when going swimming so that if you get in trouble, they’ll be there to help. If you don’t have someone to go with you, swim at a location where there is a lifeguard on duty. 
• Know your limitations. Be honest about your swimming ability. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay closer to shore so that you’ll be able to get to land easily if you need to. If you have a medical condition, take that into consideration when deciding how far to swim. Wear a PFD if you may have difficulty swimming. 
• Heed all warning signs. Some Vermont swimming holes can have dangerous underwater currents, especially after a rainstorm. Lakes and ponds may have water quality issues, such as algae blooms. If a warning sign is posted, pay attention. If the conditions could be unsafe or unhealthy, go somewhere else. 
• Stay in the designated swimming area. When visiting a park or beach, stay in the designated swimming area, if there is one. Only swim during permitted hours. 
• Closely watch children. Avoid distractions like cell phones or reading a book and pay close attention to your children when they are in the water. Teach them to always ask permission to go in the water, so you’ll know when they are swimming. 
• Don’t use alcohol or drugs. Avoid using any substance that may inhibit your ability to swim. This may include some prescription medications. 
• Be aware of underwater hazards. Before getting in the water, scope out the site where you are swimming to determine if there are any underwater hazards, such as rocks or submerged trees. Avoid any areas with obstacles that you may get caught in. 
• Check for fast-moving water. Rivers may remain dangerous for days after a storm, and fast-moving water may not be obvious. Test the swimming area first by tossing in a stick. If it is swept away or pulled under, don’t swim there and go someplace safer. 
• Avoid waterfalls. They’re beautiful but can be deadly. Don’t swim above or directly below waterfalls, as the rushing water may suck you under and the pressure created by waterfalls can trap you beneath the surface. 
• Trust your instincts. If you feel tired or cramped, or the water conditions don’t seem right, trust your instincts and get out. It’s better to leave and come back another day than to risk getting hurt. 

Get Wet and Be Safe 

Boating and swimming can be great recreational activities and a lot of fun. We don’t want your time on the water to be spoiled by an accident, so we hope you’ll use these tips to stay safe when you are around water this summer.