Water Safety Month: Summer Safety

By Rose Ellen O'Connor, Volunteer

I didn’t know how close I was to drowning.

Pictured: Volunteer Rose Ellen (left) and
her daughter, Katie Rose.

Ten-years-old, slathered with suntan lotion, I was paddling out to sea on an oversized beachball, relishing the bumpy waves and the alone time. I’m the fifth of six siblings. All of a sudden, I heard a lifeguard say, “Hold on, Honey.” He handed me an innertube and began dragging me back to shore.  When I turned around I was amazed at how far I had drifted out. It seemed each time he pulled me closer to the shore, a wave would take us back out.

Finally, after a 10-minute struggle, he got me back to shore. I was embarrassed to see people standing in the sand as far as I could see watching my rescue. But it could have been a lot worse. I could have drowned. I had violated at least two of Red Cross’s water safety rules. I had swum without a buddy, who might have noticed how far out we were getting, and I’d gone far out of the designated safety area for the beach.

According to a survey released by the Red Cross last month, nearly half of all Americans said they have had an occasion where they thought they might drown. Yet they said they are going to engage in risky behaviors this summer that put them again at risk of drowning. Just over 60 percent of families with children said they plan on swimming in areas unsupervised by life guards even though 50 percent have never had swimming lessons.

Two thirds of those surveyed said they thought that putting inflatable arm bands or “water wings” on children is enough to keep them safe. To be truly safe, children and inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Children should always be closely supervised by adults.

Nine out of 10 survey respondents were unsure what to do if someone appears to be drowning. The Red Cross says the correct steps in order are to shout for help, throw the person a flotation device and tell them to grab it and then call 9-1-1 if needed.

Water aficionados should know the signs of a swimmer in distress. According to the Red Cross, they are:

• Treading water and waving an arm
• Doggie paddling with no forward progress
• Hanging onto a safety line
• Floating on back and waving arms
• Arms extended side or front, pressing down for support, but making no forward progress
• Positioned vertically in the water, but not kicking legs
• Underwater for more than 30 seconds
• Floating at surface, face-down, for more than 30 seconds

Here are some safety tips from the Red Cross:

• Swim in areas supervised by lifeguards.
• Always sSwimwim with a buddy.
• Never leave a young child unattended around water.
• Even if you don’t plan on swimming, be careful around natural bodies of water, including ocean shoreline, rivers and lakes. Cold temperatures, currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into these bodies of water dangerous. 
• When boating, wear a life jacket.
• Avoid alcohol use.

The Red Cross offers swimming lessons for those aged six months to adults. The lessons offer a lifetime of safe and confident swimming. For more information contact the training support center at 1-800-RED-CROSS or support@redcrosstraining.org. You can also ask about Red Cross swimming lessons at your local aquatic center or your local Red Cross chapter.

Water Safety Month: Swim Classes and Safety

Written by: Carly Flumer, Volunteer

May is a time when the sun shines a little longer, the flowers are in bloom, anxious kids are getting ready for summer, and, of course, the pool opens! May is recognized as Summer Safety and Water Safety Month, and it’s the perfect time for both kids and adults to learn how to swim and a time to learn the basics of water safety. 

Swimming classes are taught at aquatic facilities all across the country by caring, patient, and trained instructors who are dedicated to each student, beginning by starting with the basics and then moving towards stroke refinement, all while providing a safe and comfortable environment. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to renew your skills, the Red Cross offers classes designed for all ages and levels to become comfortable in and around the water, learn new strokes, and ultimately become safer swimmers.

Additionally, for those who want to practice on their own, the Red Cross provides a free app that includes educational games, videos, and a swim lesson progress tracker!

To learn more about our programs, follow these links:

• To find a swim class near you: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/learn-to-swim-providers
• To find out what to expect at your child’s swimming lesson: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/swim-lessons/kids-swim-lessons
• To find out what to expect at an adult’s swimming lesson: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/swim-lessons/adult-swim-lessons
• To download the free Red Cross Swim App: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/mobile-apps

Here are some tips that the Red Cross recommends to families whether at the local pool or beach:

• Only swim in areas that are monitored by lifeguards
• Swim with a friend
• Do not leave a child unattended by water, even if they’re wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
• Always maintain supervision
• Make sure everyone in your family knows how to swim. Swimming lessons are offered by the Red Cross at many local facilities across the country. Find out more information here: https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/swimming/swim-lessons
• Know when to call 9-1-1 in an emergency
• Enroll in a Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to respond to emergencies
• Remember to protect your skin using sunscreen and limit the amount of sun your body intakes between the peak hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm

At the beach, remember to:

• Check conditions before entering the water, including weather conditions and flags placed by lifeguards
• Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties
• If someone is in danger get help from a lifeguard. If one is not in sight, call 9-1-1.
• Never fight a current.
• Swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current. Then turn and swim towards the shore. If you can’t swim towards the shore, float until you are free and then head towards the shore.
• Never dive headfirst. Look for obstructions around you first.

Wishing everyone a great and safe start to the 2018 pool and beach season 😊

Heat Wave Safety

Written by: Morgan Terry, volunteer

Residents of DC, Maryland and Virginia have seen a spike in summer temperatures over the past few years from one of the greatest global problems, climate change. Heat related illnesses are extremely threatening:

• According to the Maryland Department of Health, heat related illnesses were responsible for over 70 deaths from 1999 to 2010
• In the summer of June 2016, the Baltimore City Health department issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for the city, as temperatures rose to 109 degrees, the highest recorded temperature the state of Maryland had ever seen

Nevertheless, disasters can be avoided with the proper precautions. That is why the American Red Cross is urging all residents to recognize the symptoms of heat related illnesses, like heat exhaustion, and offering ways to prepare for high temperatures.
 
TIPS:
 
STAYING INDOORS: Staying out of the sun and in a cool, shady area is the best thing to do during extremely high heat conditions. Be aware of when heat waves are approaching by listening to the news and plan to remain in an air-conditioned location until it’s safe to go back outside. If your house does not have a functioning air conditioning system, make plans to go to a place that you know does, like a mall or church, ahead of time. Indoors is the best place to be – even pools and waterparks are dangerous places to be in high heat.
 
IF YOU MUST BE OUTDOORS: Keep your time spent outdoors as brief as possible. Wear loose, light-colored clothing and a hat to shield your eyes and face from the sun. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water. Employ the buddy system by avoiding going anywhere on your own and limit your exertion of energy as much as possible (i.e. no sports, outdoor games, strenuous manual labor, etc.)
 
KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Do not, for any reason, leave children or pets in the car – not even for less than moment. Check on your neighbors and pets frequently, as animals cannot vocalize when they are becoming heat-stricken or dehydrated. Recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses such as dizziness, moist and flushed skin, nausea, headache, weakness and exhaustion. Heat-related illnesses get progressively worse in a short amount of time if they are unrecognized and untreated.
 
First Aid and Pet First Aid are two helpful apps to help you and your pets stay safe during heat waves. 

Visit www.redcross.org for more safety information.

My Red Cross VolunTeens Story: Valerie Myers and Annabel Lee

Written by: Valerie Myers and Annabel Lee, VolunTeens


This summer at the Walter Reed National Military Center in Bethesda, MD more than 50 high school students participated in the American Red Cross VolunTeen Program. The students received hands-on experience to learn what it’s like to be in a hospital setting and work in a Military Treatment Facility by engaging with patients, soldiers and other Red Cross volunteers. The competitive application process for the program began in the spring when high school students submitted a teacher’s recommendation and essays regarding their interest in the medical field, challenges they have faced in the past and relevant volunteering experiences. Just over 50 students were chosen to participate in the six week program that included a new educational component each week, called Medical Awareness for Teens. 


Students were assigned to departments such as Audiology, Dermatology, Hematology, Psychiatry and Pediatrics. Besides answering phone calls and organizing files for the staff, the students supported doctors, nurses and technicians, and even observed medical procedures and processes depending on their department. Some students were also assigned to the Red Cross office, where they helped other Red Cross volunteers deliver coffee, snacks and toys for the patients and families receiving care at Walter Reed.

“I’ve really liked it so far,” said Alyssa Yu, teen volunteer in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology department. “I think it’s a really cool experience. It’s different from other things that I would otherwise do because of my age. Before coming here, I wasn’t that into the medical field. To be honest, I thought it was cool instead of doing camp counseling or something, but now that I’m here, especially with Medical Awareness for Teens, I’m actually a lot more interested in it. Surgery seems really fun … And I really like the new research that they [the doctors] are showing.”

With the help of some amazing staff at Walter Reed, the Red Cross was able to include an educational component called Medical Awareness for Teens (M.A.T). The educational events created opportunities to learn in an interactive way and take a closer look at a few departments within the Military Treatment Facility.

The MAT Program was divided into five parts over the summer: Common Medical Diagnosis, Amputee Clinic, Radiation Oncology/Radiology, Simulation Center, and Occupational Therapy. In these briefings students had the opportunity to hold plasticized body parts while learning about common medical diagnoses and even got to touch a real brain! They were able to operate the CAREN system, an immersive virtual reality system...basically an interactive video game used to train for balance and skills. They were also taught basic suturing skills and were able to practice these skills in the Simulation Center.

“[MAT] brings much more hands-on experience than what my actual job entails,” senior Tristan Hanlin said.

Through the work in their departments and MAT, the VolunTeens were able to get an idea of what the medical field entails and what they could possibly pursue in the future. Not only will they have earned hours for their student service learning this summer, but they also gained an invaluable experience that can be applied in future careers.

Heat Wave Safety

This summer is turning out to be a hot one, as usual, so if you have not yet seen our tips for heat waves or need a refresher, keep reading this post to find out!

A few important things about heat waves:

• A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat, generally when the thermometer goes up 10 degrees or more above the average, with often excessive humidity
• Do not underestimate heat waves. Though they can be less dangerous than other weather events, they are the most lethal weather phenomenon in the United States

It is important to stay aware of possible heat wave situations. The best way to stay informed is to listen to the weather forecast. Here are the terms weather forecasters use when referring to heat waves:

• Excessive heat watch – It is expected that the heat index (the temperature you feel, affected by temperature and humidity levels) will go up to 105°F during the day
• Heat advisory – For two consecutive days, the heat index has reached at least 105°F but less than 115°F during the day, for a duration of less than three hours per day
• Excessive heat warning – For two consecutive days, the heat index has reached at least 105°F for more than three hours per day or 115°F at any time

 What you can do to prepare yourself for a heat wave:

• Check that your emergency disaster kit is up to date, in case of a power outage
• If you do not have air conditioning, pick a few places where you can go during the warmest parts of the day, such as shopping malls or libraries
• Get trained in first aid at the Red Cross to be able to assist and respond to extreme situations

 What you can do during a heat wave:

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio to get live updates on the heat wave
• Favor indoor activities over outdoor activities, which you should postpone if necessary to cooler parts of the day
• If you can't delay outdoor activities, take small breaks
• Even if you don't feel thirsty, drink as much as possible, preferably water and avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine
• Check on family, friends and neighbors, especially those who live alone or in places with no air conditioning
• Don't forget your little buddies! Animals also suffer from the heat and need to be checked on. The best thing is to ensure they are not too exposed to heat and that they always have fresh water within grasp
•  Hot cars are deadly during heat waves, because the temperature can climb very easily to 120°F. Never leave your children or pets in a car during a heat wave, even with the windows open or for a few minutes

 Here are some heat-related illnesses to watch out for:

•  Heat cramps – Heat cramps are muscular pain that often occur in the abdomen or the legs. They are a sign that the body is not coping well with the heat. The best thing to do in this case is to get the person to a cooler place, to slowly stretch and massage the muscle and to give them an electrolyte-containing drink, such as a sports drink and water
•  Heat exhaustion – Heat exhaustion is a more severe condition than heat cramps. Heat exhaustion signs include cool, moist, pale, ashen or flushed skin, headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, and exhaustion. In case of heat exhaustion, move the person to a cooler place, remove as many clothes as possible and apply wet towels on the body. If the person is conscious, give them small amounts of water and fruits. If the person has a change in consciousness, or refuses water, call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number
•  Heat stroke – Heat stroke is a life threatening condition. A heat stroke often occurs when the signs of heat exhaustion have been ignored. The signs of a heat stroke are often a very high body temperature, a red skin which may be dry or moist, changes in consciousness, a rapid pulse, a shallow breathing, confusion, vomiting, and seizures. If witnessing a heat stroke, remember that it is life threatening and immediately call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Also, try to cool the temperature of the body as much as you can, by immersing the body in cold water, or covering it with bags of ice

Do not forget that animals can also be subject to heat strokes, especially dogs with short noses or snouts such as bulldogs or boxers. If you notice that your pet has difficulties getting up, or an abnormally fast heartbeat, take their temperature rectally. If the temperature is above 105°F, cool the animal down until they reach a body temperature of 103°F. The easiest way to do that is by using a water hose. Also, take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

To read more about Heat waves, visit http://rdcrss.org/29fSCgZ

May in a Nutshell

Splish, Splash - Swim Safely this Summer!

By Squiggy the Squirrel

The other morning when I was sipping my morning coffee and eating Nutella pancakes, I heard the words "Red Cross" on the TV and my ears perked up. The TODAY show had on this great segment about swimming and water safety.

After watching, I knew this would be a great topic to share with readers this month as we prepare for the summer ahead. Did you know that 80% of American plan to include some sort of water activity in their summer plans, including going to the beach, lake, or pool? That means you probably have swimming plans coming up!

In a recent national survey the Red Cross conducted, 80% of Americans said they could swim, but when asked further questions about their skills, the Red Cross got some surprising results.

• Only 56% of those who said they can swim, said they could perform all 5 basic water safety skills
• 6 in 10 Americans have never taken a professional swimming course

Let's talk about these statistics in more detail. The 5 basic water safety skills, also called "water competency," include being able to:

1. Step or jump into water over your head
2. Return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute
3. Turn around in a full circle and find an exit
4. Swim 25 yards (75 feet)
5. Exit from the water (this is in a pool, you should be able to exit without using the ladder.)

Can you perform these 5 basic skills? Don't feel bad if you can't, because now is the time to learn by taking a professional swimming class. If you're in the DC area, reach out to your local aquatic or fitness center to see if there are upcoming classes, especially ones that use Red Cross curriculum. 

Another great water safety tool is the new Red Cross Swim App for your smart phone. The app is a great aid to help children learn to swim. It rewards and shares your kids' achievements as they earn badges for completing skills, reinforces tips with games and videos, and teaches about water safety in a vareity of places, such as pools, rivers, lakes, and oceans. Download it directly today from the iTunes, Google Play, or Amazon Marketplace app stores.

I'm excited to hear about all your summer swimming plans! But remember, safety comes first. The Red Cross has many more water safety tips you can read about on our website. Share these with your family and friends so that your summer is both fun and safe!

xo,

Squiggy