Water-based activities are trendy because of our beautiful coastline, lakes, and water systems, as well as our mild temperature. Swimming, water sports, and water recreation are all part of our daily routine.

Unfortunately, many individuals die, while others are severely wounded, each year while swimming. According to the statistics by the National Water Safety forum in the UK, 631 lost their lives to drowning in 2020 alone. Drowning is not the only fatality, people also experience paralysis every year when they dive into shallow water.

This article discusses what you should know about swimming accidents and how to avoid them.

What to do in case of a swimming accident?

After a swimming pool accident, your first action should be to get medical care. You might need to call health practitioners if you cannot give yourself first aid treatment. If possible, record or document the events before contacting an attorney or even considering filing a lawsuit.

Even if you believe that you’re fine or your child thinks they are fine, remember that internal injuries and brain injuries may have delayed symptoms. Therefore, you want to act fast on medical care. After that, you should start looking into hiring a personal injury lawyer or contacting your law firm.

Your solicitor will interview you extensively. They will ask when and where the injury occurred and whether or not you had explicit authorisation to be there. In a premises liability lawsuit, the pool owner is responsible for keeping the pool safe for those invited to use it. However, public pool owners are still legally responsible for maintaining the grounds reasonably safe even if a person is trespassing. This is true for children who may not understand how hazardous the environment is; this is why public pools are popularly called an “attractive nuisance”.

How to avoid a swimming accident?

Some of the general precautions that pool owners need to keep a safe pool includes:

• Putting a fence around the pool to prevent youngsters from getting in
• Ensuring the safety of the substances in the water
• Lifeguards and appropriate signs informing swimmers of water depth and safety exits are essential
• Installing pool drains and pumps correctly
• Maintaining the condition of diving boards

However, it takes more to avoid a swimming accident. Therefore, you should also ensure the following:

Adult supervision

It takes a few seconds to lose sight of a child. When children play around a pool, you must ensure that a responsible adult supervises the pool. Within the blink of an eye, a child who leaps or dives into a pool may quickly strike their head, fall unconscious, and drown. Having a watchful adult around may help to mitigate any potential issues.

Keep roughhousing to a bare minimum

Eliminating all roughhousing will be almost difficult. Children are going to be kids. On the other hand, pools are not a safe environment for wrestling, running, or horseplay. Pool decks are wet and slick and youngsters rushing on them risk breaking bones and suffering severe back or head injuries. Drownings often occur when a kid is knocked unconscious in the pool. In a matter of seconds, this may become fatal.

Use protective gear

It’s essential to keep everyone hydrated since it’s easy to forget how thirsty you are while swimming. Also, make sure you have the necessary safety gear on hand. This includes having a mobile phone handy, as well as enough water and life-saving flotation devices that you can toss to a struggling swimmer in an emergency. Ascertain that someone is familiar with CPR and basic first aid. Know everyone’s limits and keep the pool secure at all times.

Swim safety 101

The first and most important approach is taking swimming lessons and checking in with a professional. Other safety tips you need to follow are:

• Follow the pool’s safety regulations and heed the lifeguards’ directions. They’ve come to help.
• Don’t take any chances. Always take a stroll around the pool and keep an eye out for other people before diving in.
• Place a resuscitation chart on your pool fence at home.
• Introduce kids to water by enrolling them in classes at a local pool.
• When the paddle pools are not in use, they should be empty.

A swimming pool accident is unquestionably frightening and may have disastrous effects, particularly involving a kid. However, it’s critical to understand your rights if your kid has been harmed. If you or your loved ones are hurt by someone’s negligence, reach out to Hutcheon Law for details on the best actions.