As summer approaches and many Americans look forward to spending time on lakes, rivers, beaches, and pools, experts emphasize the importance of water safety to prevent drowning and other accidents. Each year, drowning claims approximately 4,000 lives in the United States, with children, men, and nonwhite individuals at heightened risk.
Learning to swim is widely regarded as a fundamental precaution. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends swimming lessons for most children aged 4 and older and suggests that lessons could benefit younger children, particularly those frequently exposed to water. Even infants can be introduced to water in a supervised setting. In addition to pool skills, swimmers should be aware of challenges posed by natural bodies of water, such as currents. Experts advise staying calm, floating on one’s back if caught in a current, and swimming diagonally toward shore once conditions calm.
Additional safety guidelines include avoiding swimming alone and maintaining close supervision over children at all times. Before diving, swimmers should verify water depth and check for potential underwater hazards. Pools should be secured with closed gates and, ideally, alarms that alert when gates are opened. Wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) is recommended for swimmers of all abilities; inflatable toys and arm floaties should not be relied upon as substitutes, since they can create a false sense of security.
Boating safety is another critical aspect of enjoying water recreation. Whether using power boats, fishing vessels, pontoons, personal watercraft, canoes, or kayaks, individuals should monitor weather conditions closely and be prepared to seek shore promptly if conditions deteriorate. Sharing trip details with someone on shore—including who's aboard, the planned route, and expected return time—is advised to assist in case of emergency. Operators are urged to navigate at safe speeds, especially in crowded waterways, and to respect all navigational buoys and aids installed for safety purposes.
Alcohol consumption is strongly discouraged during water activities, as it substantially increases the risk of drowning and accidents. According to data cited by experts, over 70% of water recreation fatalities involve alcohol use.
Hydration is another frequently overlooked factor in summer water safety. Despite being surrounded by water, individuals can become dehydrated, particularly when exposed to prolonged sun and heat. Participants in water activities are advised to drink water every 15 to 20 minutes and to carry sufficient water supplies.
These recommendations originate from Jason Wray-Raabolle, M.D., a family medicine physician with the Mayo Clinic Health System in Owatonna, Minnesota. While these guidelines help promote safety during water recreation, they do not replace professional medical advice and care.