As the hot and humid weather drives more people to cool off at the beach, lakes, rivers and pools, the risk of drowning increases. Tidelands Health, along with partners Midway Fire Rescue and the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, is urging residents and visitors to take precautions to stay safe. 

“We’ve had several near drownings come into our emergency department already this season,” said Lynne Benco, assistant vice president of acute care operations at Tidelands Health. “We want people to enjoy their time in the water, but be mindful of the water conditions, closely supervise kids and remember other key tips to help keep you and your family safe.” 

Before entering the water, keep these tips in mind:  

• Always keep younger children within arm’s reach. For older children, remain actively engaged and avoid distractions, like your phone, as you supervise them in the water. 
• Teach your children to always ask permission before entering the water. 
• Take swim lessons, and learn basic swimming and water safety skills.
• Never swim alone.  
• Watch for hazards like rip currents and rough water.  
• Use proper flotation devices, such as U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejackets. “Floaties” and water wings are toys, not safety gear.  
• Learn CPR. A quick response can save a life.  

“Every child and adult should have the skills and confidence to be safe around water,” said Hatton Gravely, chief development officer at the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. “The YMCA of Coastal Carolina offers swim lessons, water safety education and programs to help families prevent drownings and enjoy the water safely.”  

One of the biggest risks at the beach is rip currents, which are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can quickly pull swimmers away from shore.  

“Many of the calls we’ve responded to this summer have involved swimmers caught in rip currents,” said Matt Smittle, division chief at Midway Fire Rescue. “These currents are fast and powerful. Knowing how to recognize and escape a rip current can save your life."  

If caught in a rip current:  

• Stay calm. Rip currents don’t pull you under.  
• Don’t swim against the current.  
• Swim parallel to the shoreline or toward breaking waves, then angle back to shore.  
• If you can’t escape, float or tread water until help arrives.
• Signal for help by yelling and waving.  

Knowing how to spot someone drowning is key. Often, drowning is silent – there’s no splashing or yelling. Common signs of drowning:  

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level  
• Head tilted back and mouth open  
• Glassy or unfocused eyes  
• Vertical position with little or no leg movement  
• Gasping or hyperventilating  
• No response to verbal cues  

If someone appears to be drowning, call 911 immediately.  

Find more information on swim lessons offered at the YMCA of Coastal Carolina at https://www.coastalcarolinaymca.org/swim-lessons/. As the exclusive health system partner of the YMCA of Coastal Carolina, Tidelands Health collaborates with the YMCA year-round to support swim lessons and programs such as Safety Around Water.