Water Safety - Safe Kids Columbus
Water Safety - Safe Kids Columbus Water Safety - Safe Kids Columbus
1. Introduction: “Got a Life jacket?” Length: 5 minutes Objective: For children to learn the importance of there being a life jacket for every person on a boat. Materials: Approximately 15 life jackets (have 3 or 4 fewer life jackets than number of kids) Procedure: Place life jackets underneath the chairs around the room. As children enter the room, introduce yourself and explain that we will be learning about open water safety and life jackets. Next, ask them to locate a life jacket and sit down again. Remember that three or four children will end up without a life jacket to wear. When they are done have children throw all the lifejackets into the “boat.” Key Points to Discuss: Point out that certain children do not have lifejackets. The key message here is for the children to know that there should always be enough life jackets for everyone on the boat. 2. Group Discussion Lead a class discussion to encourage children’s engagement. Length: 5-10 minutes Objective: To stimulate discussion among the children and informally “survey” them about their boating/open water practices. (This is important to gain a better idea as the educator about what is relevant to the children as it relates to open water safety). Procedure: Example discussion questions: • Where do you like to swim? Who do you go with (your parents, friends, etc.)? • What type of boats do you ride in? Do you boat a lot? • Has anyone ever fallen out of a boat or known someone who did? • Any scary experiences around the water? • Who should wear a life jacket? • Ask kids if they know if it’s the law for them to wear a life jacket while on a boat (http://www.ntsb.gov/recs/mostwanted/M_93_1_chart.pdf) Life jacket Laws __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
3. Proper Life Jacket Fit Demonstration Explain how to select a life jacket that will fit properly. Length: 5 minutes Objective: To have children learn visually how to put on a life jacket and know how to perform the proper fit test. Procedure: 1. Ask for one volunteer and have the child put on a life jacket. Show children how to put a life jacket on, making sure all the buckles/straps are tied or snapped from the chin down (it can be too big or too small). Explain that there are different types of life jackets although the most important thing to remember is any type is better than none. Fit Test i. Have the child raise arms above their head just like a referee signaling a touchdown. Then, pull up on the shoulders of the life jacket. ii. If the life jacket stays in place, it fits. If it touches his/her ears, it’s too loose. iii. Practice on the same child with different sizes until a proper one is found. 2. If you have examples of other pool toys that are not life jackets, use this time to show them the difference between a water toy and a life saving device. 4. Practice With a Partner Length: 10 minutes Objective: To have children learn how to select the proper life jacket and learn how to put it on correctly. Materials: As many different types of life jackets as you have placed in a pile. Procedure: Assign children to pairs and have each pair select a life jacket from the pile. Children should practice how to put on a lifejacket properly with their partner. Afterward, have children sit down and lead a group discussion with the following questions, highlighting the important points: Everyone should wear a life jacket on a boat or dock Fasten the life jacket straps from the chin down Group discussion: • How did you put it on? • Who should wear a life jacket? • When would you wear this life jacket? • What do you like about this life jacket?
- Page 2 and 3: 1. Introduction 2. Activities Table
- Page 6 and 7: 5. Activity: Life Jacket Drill Leng
- Page 8 and 9: Appendix A Types, Proper Fit and Te
- Page 10 and 11: Appendix B Putting on a Life jacket
- Page 12: 1 National Center for Health Statis
3. Proper Life Jacket Fit Demonstration<br />
Explain how to select a life jacket that will fit properly.<br />
Length: 5 minutes<br />
Objective: To have children learn visually how to put on a life jacket and know how<br />
to perform the proper fit test.<br />
Procedure:<br />
1. Ask for one volunteer and have the child put on a life jacket. Show children how<br />
to put a life jacket on, making sure all the buckles/straps are tied or snapped from<br />
the chin down (it can be too big or too small). Explain that there are different<br />
types of life jackets although the most important thing to remember is any type is<br />
better than none.<br />
Fit Test<br />
i. Have the child raise arms above their head just like a referee signaling a<br />
touchdown. Then, pull up on the shoulders of the life jacket.<br />
ii. If the life jacket stays in place, it fits. If it touches his/her ears, it’s too loose.<br />
iii. Practice on the same child with different sizes until a proper one is found.<br />
2. If you have examples of other pool toys that are not life jackets, use this time to show<br />
them the difference between a water toy and a life saving device.<br />
4. Practice With a Partner<br />
Length: 10 minutes<br />
Objective: To have children learn how to select the proper life jacket and learn how<br />
to put it on correctly.<br />
Materials: As many different types of life jackets as you have placed in a pile.<br />
Procedure: Assign children to pairs and have each pair select a life jacket from the<br />
pile. Children should practice how to put on a lifejacket properly with their partner.<br />
Afterward, have children sit down and lead a group discussion with the following<br />
questions, highlighting the important points:<br />
Everyone should wear a life jacket on a boat or dock<br />
Fasten the life jacket straps from the chin down<br />
Group discussion:<br />
• How did you put it on?<br />
• Who should wear a life jacket?<br />
• When would you wear this life jacket?<br />
• What do you like about this life jacket?
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