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NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ -
Austin, TX, United States, 2006/04/05 - Children are especially at risk of swimming related accidents. Drowning remains the second-leading cause of injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years - AquaKnowAquatics.org.
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"Remember that swimming lessons do not drown-proof younger kids and that they should always be supervised in the water. Whether or not you know how to swim the simple fact is that nobody is drown proof." Said Don Crowley owner of Austin, Texas based AquaKnow Aquatics.
Don’s motto is: “Swimming is the only sport that will save your life!”
Don offers these General Water Safety Tips:
· Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. AquaKnowAquatic swimming courses are for people of any age and swimming ability.
· Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard. Read and obey all rules and posted signs. Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
· Watch out for the dangerous “too’s” – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity. Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).
· Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices. Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather. Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.
· Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions. Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body's ability to stay warm. Known how to prevent, recognize, and respond to emergencies.
Austin, Texas based AQUAKNOW AQUATICS provides AQUA-tic Health and Safety KNOW-ledge that will promote a lifetime filled with safe water activities.
The classes are directed and taught by Don Crowley, a University of Texas Faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, an American Red Cross Instructor Trainer & Volunteer and a US Swimming and Diving coach with more than 20 years of aquatic instruction experience.
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