When it comes to combining safety and maintaining your overall well-being, swimming can't be beat! Obviously, we're big fans of
water safety at
Pool Fence DIY.
Swimming is a terrific form of exercise and a healthy habit to maintain. This holistic workout benefits your entire body. We encourage all of our readers to dive in and take advantage! That is, as long as you are safe and smart about it. Water safety is important for anyone who plans to take a swim.
As with any other form of exercise, it is important to understand how to stay safe. In fact, many of the same principles you follow at the gym still apply to swimming as well.
Why Rules at the Gym Also Apply to Swimming
Swimming is a great time for all, but it also has the potential to become dangerous. This can happen quickly. That’s why, as with any workout, it’s important to follow the following tips.
Drink Plenty of Fluids
It is important to drink plenty of fluids while swimming. When going to the gym, most people think to bring a bottle of water with them. However, when heading to the pool, this may not be top-of-mind. Even though you’re already in water, staying hydrated should still be a priority.
Warm Up and Cool Down
Another gym-to-pool tip is to warm up and cool down. Swimming is a workout, just like running or weight training. Stretching before and after your workout is fundamental to any routine. Warm up your muscles with a quick 5-10 minute stretch.
Don’t Wear Yourself Out
Once you’re all warmed up, pace yourself as you start out. Then, gradually build to your usual steady pace. If you find yourself feeling winded, don’t hesitate to give your body the break it needs. You can always continue once you catch your breath and take a rest. This will ensure that you have the stamina needed to be safe in the water.
Swimming in Numbers
It is important to
never swim alone. Anyone, even expert swimmers or
lifeguards, can drown. This can happen when a swimmer gets too tired, as discussed above; but it can also happen when a swimmer hits their head, or for any number of other reasons. Just as you use a “spotter” at the gym, you should make sure that someone is nearby when you swim. This can mean making sure a lifeguard is on duty or having a swimming buddy with you.
Be Prepared
As fun as swimming can be, there is also any number of things that can go wrong. This can turn a fun day into a tragic one pretty quickly. It is best to make sure that you are prepared. After all, you don’t usually use workout machines if you don’t know how to properly operate them, do you? That is a recipe for injury. The same goes with swimming. Don’t go into the water without taking these proper steps.
Learn CPR – While you can’t do CPR on yourself, it is always an important skill to have when you’re near a pool. This is especially vital if you have, or are near, children who are in a pool area. All parents and caregivers should be trained in CPR before supervising.
Take Swim Lessons – This is one of the most surefire ways to protect yourself and others near the pool. Not only is it great for you to know how to swim, your children should know how to as well. Swimming lessons can prevent tragedy in case of an accident whether or not you are actually in the pool, like when someone falls into the water. It is a life skill that can truly save a life!
