Ballito Umhl - NOV 2020

We’ve pulled out just a few of John’s tips for
being safe in the water. The comprehensive
18-step guide can be found on the Swim Free
website (details below):
* Always respect water. We can survive extraordinary
things in water if we approach it with respect and are able
to operate in a calm and confident manner. It is easy to
perish if we are ignorant, arrogant, impatient or foolish.
* When evaluating risk, think in colours: green, amber,
and red. Green is safe and red dangerous. Use this
mindset to assess risk when approaching a body of
water – whether it’s the ocean, a dam or river or a pool.
Pause before entering and take time to colour the picture
in your mind. For example, in a pool, the deep end and
diving boards would be amber to red and the shallow
end green. In a river the rapids, fast-flowing water, weirs
and blockages would be red. A dam with clear water
and easy access in and out would be green. In the same
dam, but with murky water where you can’t see the
bottom – that would be amber. In the ocean, the rocks
and the rip currents would be amber to red, where a nice
shallow sand bank with gentle foamies rolling towards
shore would be green. If you look at a situation and you
don’t understand what is going on, then by default you
automatically mark that part of the picture red. Also,
remember that nature is dynamic and always changing
and a picture can go from green to red very quickly.
* The first rule of lifesaving is self-rescue. You also need
to use the colours to gauge how you are feeling in a
situation. Green means ‘I understand my situation, I’m
completely calm and confident in my ability. Amber is
when doubt creeps in and red is, ‘I’m out of my depth and
feeling overwhelmed’. You always want to be green – if
you’re amber or red try to exit. Prevention is ultimately
better than cure though, so if you have any doubt, rather
do not enter the water and swim another day!
* When entering the water, always use the buddy rule.
When you buddy up, you watch out for and stay close
to each other. If one of you is swimming underwater the
other must stay on the surface until you come up. If you
become separated immediately alert a teacher, lifeguard
or person in authority. If you are in distress, the universal
signal is one arm waved slowly above your head.
* A drowning person doesn’t look like what they show
on TV. Most often, a drowning person will simply slip
below the surface with very little splash or fuss. Either
because they can’t swim or are fatigued.
* Parents – watch your children in the water. Even if they
can swim and regardless of how old they are. Do not be
distracted by social media. Drowning is silent and you will
not hear splashes or screams for help. If a child says they
can swim don’t believe them unless you witness their
ability.
Details: For more about John’s Confidence Underwater course
or to find out about his other services, go to: www.oceanchild.
co.za. For the full Swim Free guide to go: www.swimfree.co.za