Just keep swimming… safely

HOUSTON COUNTY – To ease the summer heat, people take a dip and have fun in the cool water. However, it is important to do it safely.

Warner Robins Aquanauts Head Coach Wes Hamborg shared safety tips to ensure people just keep swimming. 

The first tip Hamborg shared is to never swim alone, regardless of swimming ability. A less proficient swimmer should make sure they can always touch the bottom and get themselves to safety if needed. 

“People get themselves in trouble when they get out too deep and then they don’t realize how hard it will be to get back to the shallow end of the pool, the lake, the river or ocean. I’ve had to assist a lot of people in oceans and in pools that are just swimming beyond their ability level,” he said. 

Another tip Hamborg suggested: in moving water, the best way to stay safe is to have a coast guard approved life vest. He said once the water starts moving, it’s hard to control the situation. 

Hamborg said while being around the pool and being an avid water person, he sees swimming accidents often. He said these accidents vary but they are usually minor. 

“Almost every time I’m at the water, and thank God most of them are minor, but often those could have been much worse if there weren’t intercepted, whether a lifeguard doesn’t assist or a fellow patron assist. They come at very high frequencies,” he said.

Hamborg shared he loves swimming, and it is a huge part of his life, but it has the potential to be life threatening. 

“I think if you’re not a really strong swimmer, having a healthy respect and fear of the water is important. It’s not something to be taken lightly and while it’s fun, it can also be extremely dangerous,” he said.

Hamborg also mentioned he knows people who have died because of the water, and he said it is sad to say, but it does happen. 

He said it is also important for parents to keep an eye on their children and they can never be too vigilant. 

“It doesn’t matter how small or how big the water is. Even if you think your child knows not to go to the water edge. It’s so enticing, kids love water, they always want to go to water and if they’re not being supervised it, can be a life-or-death situation,” he said. 

He said parents should be especially careful during pool parties because they easily get distracted.

Another tip Hamborg shared involves home and backyard pools. He recommends they always have three barriers of entry. He said they are safety nets for kids and an accident can happen in seconds. 

He also suggests in-ground pools have a safety gate around them with a self-latching lock.

“If we do pools the right way, they are a lot of fun. If you don’t, they can be terrifying,” he said.

To view more safety tips, click here.