Poolside Safety Tips for Drowning Prevention: Added Tiers of Protection

If the significance of one facet of your new swimming pool cannot be overstated, it’s safety. In our previous post, we looked at two ways to aid in drowning prevention: assigning life guard duty and insisting on swimming lessons. Now we’ll dive into two more important topics related to swimming pool safety: providing a safety fence and learning CPR.

Remember, the best way to create the safest situation possible is not to choose just one safety measure, but to utilize a multi-tier safety system that focuses on drowning prevention but also includes preparation for a quick and helpful response in case an incident does occur.

Provide a Safety Fence

A safety fence for your swimming pool is not the same as a privacy fence that surrounds your entire yard; in fact, you should really have a pool safety fence whether or not you have a fenced-in yard. Your state or local community may have specific requirements for a pool safety fence, but there are some basic qualifications that a pool fence should definitely meet. First, it should surround the pool area specifically and should have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Such a barrier should be free from hand holds and tall enough to keep young children from being able to climb over them (4 or 5 feet high is the usual recommendation). The latching device or lock should also be out of easy reach for children.

You can read more detailed recommendations regarding pool safety fences in this document. For those who desire to offer safety for when the pool is not in use but still want a clear view of their happy place and want to be able to remove the barrier when the pool is in use, innovative safety fences from companies like this one might be a helpful middle-of-the-road option. In case a child gets into the swimming pool area without supervision, an added layer of support in the form of a pool cover and alarm can help ensure safety of anyone who gets past the fence unnoticed.

Learn CPR

Even when you have multiple safety barriers and recommended preventive measures in place, drowning can still happen. According to the National CPR Association, knowing exactly how to respond in an emergency situation where every second counts can make the difference between life and death. When someone is drowning, that person will typically lose consciousness after failed attempts to breathe, disallowing them to provide their body with adequate oxygen. Many studies show that when drowning victims are immediately given CPR, they have higher chances of being revived.

The National CPR Association offers classes free of charge, but there is a cost associated with certification. The Red Cross also offers CPR Training as well as classes in Water Safety, Babysitting, and Lifeguard Training that all include basic CPR and First Aid training. Here’s a brief YouTube video that shows a teen who was able to save a the life of an adult using this Red Cross training.

Lyon Financial

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.