Babysitters and Pools

 

- if you're babysitting for a family that has a pool, you may be thinking what great fun it will be to play with the kids in the water, top-up your tan at the same time and get paid for it. But pools are dangerous places, particularly for young children, and extra vigilance is needed to keep the little ones safe

There are several things a babysitter needs to know about pools and other water hazards: -

  • If a family has a pool or hot tub you must always know exactly where the kids are and must never take them in the pool without the parents' permission
  • You should learn CPR - this is an important 'Life Skill' to have under your belt and will possibly result in more babysitting work!
  • Doors and/or gates leading out to the pool must be checked for security regularly to ensure that a wandering child cannot pass. Keep gates and doors that give access to the pool or hot-tub locked at all times
  • Responsible parents will have taught their offspring how to behave around the pool but, in the absence of parental supervision, the kids may try to push the boundaries of what is acceptable behaviour
  • Ask the parents what their own 'Pool Rules' are and make sure the kids don't take advantage of you by pushing limits and breaking those Rules
  • Additionally, tell the kids that while you're in charge, your rules apply and you're going to make sure that they stick to them!
  • A child must never be left unattended anywhere near a pool or any other drowning hazard. Children need constant supervision when they're around water and they must never be left alone anywhere near the pool, play-pool or hot-tub, not even for the briefest of moments
  • All kids get distracted when they are excited and having a good time, and they might forget the Rules for a moment, so it is up to the babysitter (THAT'S YOU!) to keep control of the situation and ensure that kids stay safely within the Rules and the limits of their own ability
  • Kids may try to impress their babysitters by showing-off their abilities but remember that even good swimmers can drown if they get into difficulties in the pool so don't allow yourself become distracted by reading, watching TV, phoning your friends, doing your homework or anything else - it only takes a moment for a child to slip beneath the surface and, once out of sight, they can drown very quickly
  • NEVER allow kids to hyperventilate before trying to swim underwater as this can lead to Shallow Water Blackout - where a swimmer loses consciousness with no warning whatsoever. If the child is underwater when this happens they will drown within a couple of minutes
  • Indoor pools present additional risks because the access is often easier than a fenced outdoor pool. You must know exactly where kids are at all times and physically check doors to ensure they are securely locked
  • Play pools are also a potential hazard and should be emptied and inverted when the kids have finished playing in them for the day

Remember that drowning is a silent killer - no screams, no splashing, no cries for help, no second chances

We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website, including what you see on this page.

All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour

For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon

We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers no guarantee of final price.

Note: - Please contact our recommended Pool Professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: - 

Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety SpainPool Safety Spain

Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Each of the above offers years of experience, free unbiased advice and excellent, Professional service.

 

Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users,  encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths.  Please also see our FacebookFacebook page

Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©

Pool Rules for Kids

Cool Kids obey the Pool Rules

When you use the pool you can help to keep everyone safe, especially the smaller kids

Set a good example - young kids learn from their older playmates and if you keep to the rules they will also keep them - and that makes the pool a safer place for everyone to have fun

Here are some sensible pool rules: -

  • No running - you could slip or trip, hurting yourself or someone else
  • Check the water depth before diving and never dive into shallow water
  • Tell an adult if anything happens that you feel is breaking the Rules
  • Wear sunscreen and make sure the little kids are wearing it
  • Put pool toys away when you've finished with them - (this is really for safety reasons but there is another good reason too - toys last longer if they are kept out of the sun and chlorinated water, and the wind cannot blow them onto something that will puncture them)
  • Tell an adult if you see anything 'wrong' around the pool - like a damaged section of fence or a broken pool-tile that could cause a cut foot
  • No eating or drinking - and definitely no peeing in the pool!
  • Get your parents to learn CPR and ask if you, and any home-help or babysitters can learn also

Remember that a pool is a fun place but it can also be a dangerous place

Remember also that YOU can help to make it a safe place

We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website. All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour

For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon

Note: - Please contact our recommended pool professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: -

Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety SpainPool Safety Spain

Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers the client no guarantee of final price

Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users,  encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths.  Please also see our FacebookFacebook page

Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©

Shallow Water Blackout

- the silent killer

In simple terms Shallow Water Blackout (SWB) is when a swimmer suddenly faints underwater. No exact figures are available but some sources attribute over 50% of all drownings to SWB, which makes it the single most common cause of death amongst children

  • Swimming ability is no protection against Shallow Water Blackout; it can and does happen to the most experienced of swimmers, regardless of their health or age, in pools and/or in open water
  • SWB occurs when low levels of Carbon Dioxide (CO²) in the body, combined with low levels of Oxygen, causes a swimmer to faint
  • If the swimmer is not rescued immediately they will drown
  • SWB can be caused by taking several deep breaths (Hyperventilation) before, for example, swimming a length underwater or 'trying to beat-your-own-record' for distance swum underwater
  • Hyperventilation artificially lowers the body's CO² levels
  • It is HIGH levels of CO² in the body that triggers the need to breathe; not LOW levels of Oxygen
  • With artificially low levels of CO² the 'BREATHE NOW!' reflex is suppressed and unconsciousness occurs instantly when the swimmer's Oxygen level falls below a certain point
  • SWB can occur without warning, to any swimmer, regardless of their ability or level of experience
  • Many victims are strong, fit swimmers who have not previously experienced this problem before
  • Therefore; educate everyone who uses your pool, especially kids, about the dangers of Hyperventilating
  • Don't let them compete at holding their breath, or seeing who can swim furthest underwater

 

We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website. All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour

For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon

Note: - Please contact our recommended pool professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: - 

 

Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety SpainPool Safety Spain

Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers the client no guarantee of final price

Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users,  encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths.  Please also see our FacebookFacebook page

Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©

Swimming Lessons


- if a child can swim they are far less likely to suffer death by drowning

The best time to teach kids to swim is as soon as possible. Out of the delivery room and straight into the deep end might be pushing it a bit though. Kids take to water naturally if allowed to proceed at their own, supervised, pace and once they are used to it - they want to be there all day

Swimming brings a lot of positives but by far the most important benefit of ensuring your kids can swim is their safety

Being able to swim is not a cast-iron guarantee against drowning, but it's a step in the right direction.

There are plenty of other benefits, perhaps not so immediately obvious: -

A child will gain self-confidence, build self-esteem ( My first Swimming Certificate claimed I could 'Jump in and Swim Nine Yards'. I was SO proud!). They will get some aerobic, non-stressful exercise, have lots of fun - and be tired enough to sleep well that evening!

Don't force children to participate - when they see other kids having fun they will naturally gravitate towards the pool; but let them do so at their own pace

 

Is Michael Phelps glad that he learned to swim?

Kids need to learn how to float on their back so they can take a rest if they get tired in the water

Treading water, keeping afloat in one place, is another important skill for kids to learn 

In addition to swimming skills, children should be taught how to get themselves out of the pool - and that means practicing exits until the child can do it easily. Once a child is able to jump in the water you can make a game of jumping in and getting out again

Until a child has learned to swim confidently they should wear an approved life-vest, which is designed to prevent immersion of the head

Armbands and inflatable rings are not lifesaving equipment - they are toys. Try jumping from a plane with a toy parachute. See what I mean?

Remember: - nobody is immune to the dangers! All children must be carefully supervised around any open body of water, no matter what their swimming ability because even the strongest of swimmers can find themselves in difficulties

 The best approach to teaching your kids (or anyone else, including adults) to swim is to contact a professional group such as www.swimmingnature.com

 

We supply all plant and equipment featured on this website. All our work is Guaranteed; Parts and Labour

For free and unbiased advice, a site visit or no-obligation Quotation*, please make initial enquiries by email. Tell us a little about your pool problem and include a daytime phone number. Thanks, we look forward to meeting you soon

Note: - Please contact our recommended pool professionals for supply and installation of all pool-related services: - 

Andalusia and the Costa del Sol - Pool Safety SpainPool Safety Spain

Nerja area - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

*We only offer Quotations: - a fixed, agreed price that cannot, and will not, be increased. We do not give 'estimates', as an estimate offers the client no guarantee of final price

Share this website with other Pool Owners and Users,  encourage them to read about Pool Safety, learn CPR and help them to save lives, time and money. Please help us to make every pool a safer place - by sharing this information we can cut the number of pool accidents and deaths.  Please also see our FacebookFacebook page

Ken Walker - MyPoolGuru©

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