Water Sports

First: prevention. You can achieve this by taking the corresponding steps beforehand, being acquainted of the activity you will do. Think properly before entering the water; apply the safety guidelines for scuba diving or to conduct teams; know how to protect from the sun, the cold; and what life vest to wear and how to do so.

Second: be acquainted with the risks in different water environments where the activity will be performed: the beach, a home pool, a camping, the river, the lake, an aquatic park, etc.

Third: know how to rescue oneself, other people and how to provide first aids if an emergency occurs.

General Safety Rules for Water Environments

Learn how to swim and how to deliver first aids; follow safety rules when sailing; be sure that other people in your team are also well informed.
Contact the maritime agency in your area and get information on training courses and requirements for sailing, materials, etc.
Know how to react in case a water emergency occurs.
Choose a safe place to practice aquatic activities.
Wear the proper life vest when boating, kayaking, etc.
Be aware of potential risks and danger in the water environment.
Check the local weather forecast before practicing any activity in a water environment.
Learn how to identify and prevent hypothermia as well as how to provide the proper care in case it occurs.
Learn how to identify and prevent emergencies related to excessive heat as well as how to provide the right care.

The following safety tips are essential for every water environment

Never swim alone. Never swim offshore.
Always swim in supervised areas.
Never drink alcoholic beverages before swimming.
If you do not know the depth of the area, first enter walking. Avoid diving into the water.
Swim in a pool only if you can see the bottom in the deepest area.
Be aware of your limitations when swimming and respect them.
Do not keep the pace of a more skillful swimmer. Never compel a weaker swimmer to follow your pace.
Watch weaker swimmers.
It is not safe to stay in water if you are stressed, extremely cold, far from a safety zone, under intense heat conditions, or exhausted as a result of practicing a very demanding physical activity.
Do not eat or chew while swimming or when you are in the water: you can easily get drown as a result of airway blockage.
Have common sense regarding swimming after a meal. Generally, you do not need to wait for an hour after a meal before entering the water. However, if you have had a heavy meal allow the proper digestion time before swimming.