Safer 3 Curriculum

SAFER WATER. SAFER KIDS. SAFER RESPONSE.

Fish Tails Swim School is a proud partner of the Safer 3 Water Safety Foundation. Safer 3 is a comprehensive initiative to dramatically reduce drowning incidents by utilizing three main approaches: Safer Water, Safer Kids, and a Safer Response.

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Safer 3 is an initiative to reduce drownings by:

  1. Recognizing risks associated with water related activities
  2. Implementing strategies to reduce and manage those risks
  3. Responsibly maintaining those strategies
 The main concept of Safer 3 is based on the definition of the word “Safe.” Safe means you are free from risk of harm or danger. When it comes to water, that simply isn’t true. There is always risk when you are in, on, or around the water. The risk may vary in degree from very slight to very severe. The letter “r” in the word “Safer” reflects that difference. Risk of drowning is found in 3 main areas; Water, a Person which we shall refer to as a KID, since we are all someone’s kid, and a Response that will become the last chance for saving a life.

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Safer Water means identifying where the risks are with any body of water (bathtubs, pools, spas, drain covers, lakes, rivers or oceans) and learning how to reduce those risks. For example, installing barriers such as isolation fencing around a backyard pool would reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the pool by young children.

Ideas for Safer Water

  • Layers of protection assist in achieving Safer Water. For example, pool fences, self-closing/latching gates, dead bolts on doors leading to the pool, pool alarms, door alarms, and safety pool covers provide layers of protection.
  • Remove all toys from the pool and pool area after every use so that children are not tempted to get to them.
    Keep pool water clean and clear to ensure sanitary swimming conditions as well as high visibility.
  • Take precautions with pool covers — children may try to walk over or swim under them. They should be removed completely before swimming.


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Safer Kids

Safer Kids covers the behaviors necessary for both kids and parents to promote water safety. These water safety tips include constant responsible supervision by adults, along with swimming skills attained through on-going qualified instruction for kids.

Ideas for Safer Kids

  • Swim lessons make children safer as they learn both water safety skills and swimming skills. However, no one is ever “drown-proof;” even Olympic swimmers have drowned. Water always poses a risk, even to great swimmers.
  • Teach children to never swim alone and to ask an adult to watch them while they swim.
  • Utilize a Water Watcher. A Water Watcher is a responsible adult who has agreed to keep constant watch on all children in and around the water. This adult will not socialize or be distracted and will not leave the water area without finding another Water Watcher to take over.

 

 

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Safer Response

Safer Response overviews emergency response techniques and emergency action plans as a path to water safety. Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid, as well as having a phone by the pool at all times, are just a few of the safety tips covered here.

Ideas for Safer Responses

  • Be prepared for any emergency.
    Keep rescue equipment and a phone within easy reach of the pool.
  • Parents, guardians, and babysitters should be certified in CPR & First Aid.
    If a child is missing, check the pool first — every second counts.
  • Together, we can reduce drowning incidents.