The Life Aquatic

It only takes a second.

In the time it takes to look at your phone or grab some sunscreen, a child or adult can drown, no matter how deep the body of water they’re in or their swim skills.

Kevin Sirbola, an ocean rescue lifeguard with the Boca Raton Recreation Services department, shares important water safety tips to keep in mind this summer and year-round.

Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim. Florida is surrounded by water. So, you’re going to be near it at some point. At the very least, everyone should know how to tread water and float on their back, Sirbola says. That way, they can keep their head up and yell for help if needed. 

Know what to do in an emergency. Call for help on your phone or a radio, if you’re on a boat. “Don’t panic,” he says. “That’s always the main reason people drown. Stay calm so you make good decisions.” If you’re leaving the house for an aquatic outing, tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. “That way, they can get help for you if you’re unable to,” Sirbola explains.

Never swim solo. “No matter what your skill level is, don’t swim alone,” he warns. Always swim where lifeguards or other people are present. Drowning doesn’t occur like you see in the movies, with someone yelling or splashing around. “It happens quickly and quietly,” Sirbola says. “You only have a few moments to react.”

There’s no substitute for watchful eyes. You may just want to relax by the water, but don’t let your guard down. Parents should always watch their kids, even if they’re wearing flotation devices or are near a lifeguard. In fact, it’s illegal for a child under the age of 8 to be unattended on a Boca Raton beach, Sirbola says. “You have to be close enough to grab them.”

Leave rescues to the professionals. If someone is in trouble, don’t jump in to save them. “You don’t want to add to the emergency,” he says. “You can end up being a victim.” Instead, call a lifeguard to help. O

Turtle Time

As Sirbola says, parents must always watch their children around water. But the Safety Turtle 2.0 Pool Alarm offers an additional level of security. Simply attach the wristband to your child; when submerged, the base device sends out a 100-decibel alarm so you can run to the rescue. safetyturtle.com