Final Day of Swimming

It was sad to think it was our last day of Water Safety and Swimming. We were remind that if we are going to jump into a body of water we need to check it first. Do you know how to check it?

1. Check how deep it is, ask an adult to walk in or use a stick to see if it is deep enough to jump.
2. Check is there is anything sharp under the water like coral, rocks, glass...
3. If it is a river or a lake check there are no logs floating by, even if you see a small stick it could be larger log under the water (like an iceberg).

H - Heat
E - Escape
L - Listening
P - Position

If a group of people fall in the water huddle together to help keep you bodies warm. It will also be easier to see a group from the sky (a helicopter), than one person.

When you see a helicopter coming roll onto your backs and hold hands (legs out this time) and kick for 3 seconds (prevent attracting sharks and to draw the attention of the searchers). They will see the big white circle of splashing water.

If you are by yourself cuddle up into the help position with you hands across your heart and hold onto the life jacket, curl your knees up to help keep your body warm. When you hear a helicopter wave an arm. Can you see us in this position?



If someone needs help in the water there are lots of ways to help but remember you need to survive too. So jumping in to help them isn't always best. Instead you should...

Find something that will float and throw it too them. Or even better find a rope or long stick (we used noodles) and hold one end and get them to reach for the other end. Brace yourself then pull you don't want to go into!