There is no excuse for not following simple watersports tips for a safe and enjoyable time in and about the water. Whether it be swimming, fishing or just snorkeling for entertainment, there are a few safety considerations that you need to keep in mind.

Basics

Always have a buddy or more around that can call for help. This is why it is best to be in the vicinity of a lifeguard and lots of people. But if you must be off on your own or boating away from civilization, ensure that you do have some way to get help if you need it.

Always wear sunscreen and reapply it during the course of your stay in the sun as per the recommendation on the bottle. SPF 20 means that you have 20 minutes before you should reapply again. Use waterproof sunscreen if you are going to immerse yourself in water.

You should also protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays. Most swim goggles come with this protection. Something to keep in mind is that not all sunglasses provide UV protection just because it is tinted or shaded. It is not the color o fthe lens that gives you protection against ultraviolet rays. A clear lens can have UV protection.

Children can drown or get into trouble within seconds. Ensure they have proper safety floatation devices attached to them when necessary.

Know the dangers of the environment and heed all warning signs posted. The water may look calm but there may be a severe undertow, jellyfish and sharp rocks below.
Drinking alcohol while you are in or near even shallow water, can severely hinder your cognitive and physical abilities.

Conversely, you should keep hydrating yourselves. Make sure you have enough water around to replenish what you have lost during the day. Remember that you are losing water from your body even when you are in the swimming in the pool.

If it is a little chilly, ensure that you don’t get hyperthermia. If you see anyone turning blue in the water, they need to get out fast and get warmed up.

Always know what to do in the event that you do get into trouble. Take a minute to review what you would do if you had a jellyfish sting, got towed out to see from an undertow or your buddy was experiencing severe dehydration that kind of thing. Are you ready? Then, go out and have fun!