With the proper precautions and safety procedures, drowning is preventable. That said, accidents and mishaps can still happen. We’re only human, after all. A Do It Yourself pool safety fence is important, but what do you do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation under water? In today’s Pool Fence DIY guide, we’ll go over some helpful tips for how to save yourself from drowning.

Save Yourself from Drowning

Drowning Is Often Silent

First things first, drowning can be terrifying and it is all too common. According to the CDC, from 2005 through 2014 there were about ten drowning deaths per day in the United States. A big cause for many of these incidents can be placed on the silence of drowning. The incidents we see on TV and in the movies do not reflect real life. For example, if you find yourself in trouble, you may not have the opportunity to splash around and call for help. When someone is drowning, they’ll often gasp for air through a mouth full of water. In this scenario, you’ll likely become very quiet as you disappear beneath the waves.

Only Swim in Safe Spaces 

That leads us to our first tip. The best way to save yourself from drowning is to choose your swimming spots wisely. In basic terms, you should only swim with other people or where a lifeguard is on duty. We can’t stress the importance of an attentive, professional lifeguard. These men and women are trained to keep a close eye on swimmers. When they notice that you or someone else is in trouble, they can rush to the rescue.

Become a Stronger Swimmer 

While lifeguards are indeed life savers, you should also take responsibility for your own water safety. Absolutely everyone who plans to take a dip in the water should take swimming lessons. This powerful safety precaution is the first step in helping to save yourself from drowning.

As we mentioned earlier, drowning is a much more frequent occurrence than a lot of people realize. It also happens deceptively quickly. A relaxing day in the water can turn deadly within moments. To fight back, you should enroll in swimming lessons with a certified instructor. Knowing how to handle yourself in the water will greatly reduce your risk of drowning.

When in Danger, Keep a Level Head

Swimming isn’t everything. Sometimes the conditions of the water can overwhelm even the strongest swimmer. This can happen to anyone, regardless of skill. For ocean swimmers, you may find yourself being pulled by a strong current or riptide. In a situation like this, keep your cool! Panicking here will put you in greater danger. Remaining calm and reacting properly are your best bets to save yourself from drowning.

Try not to fight directly against the current. Instead, try to turn your body 90 degrees. You’ll want to swim as parallel to the shore as possible. This may seem counterintuitive, but it just might save your life. Swimming in this way will help gradually guide you out of the pull of the current toward the calmer waters.

Don’t Struggle

Finally, here’s another reason not to panic: you’ll tire yourself out. If you find yourself in trouble, don’t fight with all your strength to keep your head high above the water’s surface. This wastes a tremendous amount of energy. Instead, try to limit your movement. Tread water or try to float on your back. Remember, in a potential drowning situation, you’ll only need to keep your nose or mouth barely above the surface. 

Don’t Forget Your U.S. Coast Guard Certified Life Jacket

Beyond these swimming tips, it never hurts to be prepared. For this reason, you should consider wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. This is especially important while boating or swimming on the open water. Just be absolutely sure that your floatation device has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.  If it isn’t, your life jacket may not function properly.

These are just a few things that can help you to save yourself from drowning. Ideally, you’ll have a whole system of safety precautions in place to keep you safe. For more water safety tips, keep reading the Pool Fence DIY blog.