Article posted on June 27, 2026

Stay Safe This Summer: Water Safety Tips for Swimming, Water Sports, and Boating

With warmer weather and sunshine comes beach trips, river rafting, water sports and days by the pool. But while water activities offer fun and relaxation, they also come with risks. Understanding basic safety, prevention, and emergency response can save lives. Here's how to stay safe in and around the water this summer.

Prevention and awareness:

Know the difference between a leisure toy and a lifejacket or personal floatation device and use each one appropriately. Remember that puddle jumpers, pool noodles and floaties are not considered approved as safety devices. Read more here: Choosing lifejackets and personal flotation devices (PFDs)
Floatation devices may cause overconfidence in children regarding their swimming abilities. Whether in the water or simply near a body of water, children should be closely monitored and never left unsupervised. Enroll children in swimming lessons and encourage precaution and awareness of water safety.
Never assume someone else is watching children and ensuring their safety. A designated adult should be supervising children at all times, even with lifeguards present. Children should be within reach, and the designated adult should not be on their phone or otherwise distracted, and should not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Be aware of weather changes, tides and swift currents. Just because the surface looks calm, that does not mean the water underneath it is. Stay within designated swimming areas. Read and follow all posted warnings. Monitor weather conditions closely and avoid swimming, sporting or water crafting in dangerous conditions such as storms and high winds.
Even strong swimmers can drown, particularly in cases of cold water or injury impairing their ability to swim. Always wear a lifejacket or personal floatation device when on a water vessel or engaging in water sports. Know your limits and always take precautions.
Research the beach, river or pool in advance. Know typical weather conditions, if and when lifeguards are on duty, and common risks known to that area.
Be familiar with the name and location you are visiting in case someone needs to call 9-1-1. If calling for an ambulance, try and have an available bystander meet EMS at an entrance or access area in order to guide them to the patient.
Bring a first aid kit and look up the location of the nearest AED on the Heart Safe map. Consider borrowing/renting an AED for the day if there is no device available nearby.
Be familiar with signs of drowning. Remember that drowning does not look the way it is often displayed in media- it is quick and it is silent. Keep a close eye on children at all times when in or near water and have multiple layers of safety precautions in place such as fences, pool covers, locks and a buddy system.

If someone has a submersion incident and needs medical attention, remember the following suggestions:

Do not enter deep water in attempt to rescue someone struggling in the water, unless trained to do so. While many people’s first instinct may be to attempt to rescue a struggling swimmer, this can lead to would-be rescuers also needing to be rescued. Instead, try and throw a floatation device or reach out with a pole or other water rescue device.
Ensure appropriate medical care after the incident and monitor the swimmer for signs of respiratory distress including excessive coughing, difficulty breathing, gagging, vomiting, purple/bluish tinge to the skin especially around the nose and mouth or altered mental status for up to eight hours after the incident. If any of these are present or worsening after the incident, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Err on the side of caution and assume anyone who had an unconscious episode under water hit their head. This may mean taking spinal precautions (holding the head and neck still) until the patient can be examined by a medical professional. Spinal precautions should not be prioritized in a patient who is unconscious and not breathing.

If the patient is not breathing:

Call 9-1-1 and start CPR. Follow instructions given by the Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
Retrieve an AED if there is one available nearby and use as soon as possible, while continuing CPR (unless instructed to pause by the AED).
Be aware of agonal respirations. This may be seen in a drowning or cardiac arrest patient, which looks like breathing but is not considered effective respirations. Agonal breathing is often described as gasping or snoring. Watch for a lack of rise and fall of the chest, erratic or inconsistent respirations and signs of the patient turning a blue or purple colour.
Remember that AEDs cannot be used in wet areas. If puddles, waves or other water is present, move the patient to a dry area before using the AED.
AED pads should not be applied to a wet chest, as they may not be able to stick properly which would reduce the effectiveness of the shock. If needed, dry the patient’s chest with a cloth or towel before applying the AED pads. A disposable towel can be found in most Fast Response kits, which should be attached to the AED.

Remember, when it comes to safety, prevention is best. With a little preparation and awareness, you can enjoy all the fun and excitement summer has to offer while staying safe!

Last Updated: Saturday, June 27, 2026