Updated June 2010

Water Safety Water Safety Swimming Pool Swimming Pool

Maintain good health and hygiene before swimming. Shower before entering the pool. Use the buddy system! Always swim with a friend. Learn how to swim! Enroll in classes or have a friend or family member teach you.

Only swim in designated areas. Don’t dive off the shallow end. Obey NO DIVING signs. Obey the pool rules.

DO NOT drink the pool water. DO NOT run around the pool. No pushing. No dunking or rough play.

Alcohol and water DO NOT mix. DO NOT chew gum or eat while swimming. Watch for changing weather conditions. Be Sun Smart ~ Use at least SPF 15+ Sunscreen

Keep an eye on yourself – Watch for the TOOs TOO tired TOO far from shore/safetyTOO much sun TOO cold TOO much strenuous activity

Water Safety Water Safety Beach Beach

Some things you might need at the beach: Bottles of water Sunscreen ~ use at least SPF 15+ Sunglasses Pail and Shovel ~ To collect seashells Beach Bag Snacks Blanket or Chair Towel Cooler Umbrella

Swim where lifeguards are present. Learn how to swim! Enroll in classes or have a friend or family member teach you. Use the Buddy System Always swim with a friend.

Don’t swim while drinking alcohol or using drugs. Watch for changing weather conditions. Be Sun smart. Use at least SPF 15+ Sunscreen

Waves come in many strengths and sizes. Be very careful and pay close attention to warning flags.

Panama City Beach Flag Warning System A GREEN flag means that the water is calm. The undertow is slight to non-existent and it is safe to swim using the proper amount of caution! A YELLOW flag indicates the presence of light surf or currents and additional caution should be used while swimming in the Gulf. A RED flag indicates the presence of strong surf and currents. Swimming in these conditions is not recommended as it presents a very high hazard to all swimmers. DOUBLE RED A DOUBLE RED flag, however, means that the water is closed to the public! No one is allowed in the water when a double red flag is posted! A PURPLE flag indicates the presence of marine pest in the water such as jellyfish, stingrays or dangerous fish.

Don’t swim towards the shore. Wait until you don’t feel the rip current pulling you anymore! Rip Currents Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore. They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea. If caught in a rip current, don’t fight it! You can’t see Rip Currents, but they’re there.

“Swim to the side to stay alive!” Rip Currents Swim to the side until you feel the current relax, then swim to shore. Most rip currents are narrow, and a short, swim to the side will bring you to safety.

Extreme Heat Safety Extreme Heat Sun Exposure Heat Related Illness

Extreme Heat What is Extreme Heat? ~ Temperatures that are 10 higher than the average for the area. Keep cool. Drink plenty of fluids ~ Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. ~ If you’re exercising, drink 2-4 glasses of cool fluids each hour. WARNING: If your doctor usually limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot. Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar --- these make you lose more body fluids. Avoid very cold drinks. They can cause stomach cramps.

Wear Appropriate Clothing and Sunscreen Wear as little clothing as possible when you are at home. ~ Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Sunburn ~ Affects your body’s ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids. ~ Causes pain and damages skin. Protect yourself from the sun. ~ Wear a wide-brimmed hat. ~ Wear sunglasses. ~ Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher before going outdoors. ~ Continue applying sunscreen periodically while outdoors.

If you have to be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. If you’re not used to working or exercising when it’s hot out, start out slowly and pick up the pace gradually. ~ If exercising in the heat makes your heart pound harder and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. ~ Get into a cool area or at least into the shade and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body will have a chance to recover.

Stay indoors and, if possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a store or public library. ~ Even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your house.

Use a Buddy System. When working in the heat, keep an eye on your co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness. If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. ~ If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.