New Hope YMCA Shares Ways to Swim Safely
Swimming is a favorite summer activity for many Minnesotans. But before you make a splash, there are some important things to know to stay safe.
“We have pools everywhere. We have lakes everywhere,” said Meagan Matrajek, aquatics director from the New Hope YMCA. “It’s almost second nature in our community to go to a pool party or a beach and it’s just incredibly important that we learn to keep ourselves safe in the water.”
New Hope YMCA Aquatics Director Meagan Matrajek says if you’re concerned about COVID it’s important to make sure you take a couple extra measures to be safe. First, make sure you shower before and after you swim. Also, if you need to use equipment such as a life jacket, kickboard, noodles or goggles, make sure to bring your own.
While COVID is one thing to keep in mind, knowing the basics of swimming and understanding how to respond to a water emergency is essential to your own wellbeing and to those around you. Here are other important things to keep in mind:
Jump, Push, Turn, Grab
You’ll want to make sure you can jump into the water, push off the bottom, turn around and grab a wall or land surface. This ensures that if you fall into the water, especially a pool, you can get out and keep yourself safe.
Swim, Float, Swim
You should be able to swim on your front and be able to turn over on your back to float and catch your breath. This helps you keep moving forward in the water.
Reach, Throw, Don’t Go
Never go into the water and try to save someone else unless you’re fully prepared for that.
As for non-swimmers, there are also splash decks available in the area where you can still enjoy the water without having to go into a body of water.
To continue creating awareness about swimming safety, free community water safety classes are being offered by the New Hope YMCA this summer too.
