National Water Safety Month is almost upon us, and with thousands of people heading out onto the water each year, it’s more crucial than ever to be aware of the risks and take necessary precautions. As we dive into the world of water safety, let’s start with the basics. • **Drowning can be silent and unpredictable**: As swim instructor Joseph Blake, assistant manager at Foss Swim School, notes, “They start to do, either like a doggie paddle, or are trying to keep their head out of the water. They’re treading water and they’re out of breath. When they’re out of breath, they can’t really shout out anything.” This highlights the importance of being vigilant and recognizing the signs of distress in others. • **Safety measures are key**: Blake also emphasizes the importance of having safety materials nearby, such as a ring buoy or a pool noodle. “They shouldn’t go and jump in, because that can lead to them being pulled underwater as well. So, instead, what you should do, is identify where you have some safety materials. So, that can be like a ring buoy that you see on a lot of boats. Or, even just like a pool noodle or something like that.”

• **What to do if you’re in distress**: When someone is struggling in the water, it’s essential to know how to react. According to Blake, “We’re doing our tiger paddles. So we’re reaching our arms all the way out in the water. We have our eyes out on the water as well. Once we need to take a breath or figure out where we’re at, we’ll flip over onto a back float, and we’re going to do some motion with our arms, we call these bird flaps.” If you’re the person in need, these skills can help you catch your breath and stay afloat. • **Visibility matters**: When it comes to water safety, it’s not just about what you’re doing in the water, but also what you’re wearing. As Foss Swim School’s campaign highlights, wearing bright colors like pink, yellow, or orange can make a big difference in visibility. “Especially blue and black, even if your lake is clean or your pool is clean, that can blend in, especially when light is reflecting off it as well. Keep those bright colors, so like a bright pink, a bright yellow as well is fantastic.” Whether you’re 60 or six months old, making a conscious effort to wear visible clothing can help prevent accidents. “Baby classes run from six months up to three years. That’s really focusing on those safety skills like that flipping and that floating. Also, if we’re able to get inside a gate or something like that, and we fall off the edge, we’re able to know how to get back to the edge.” Foss Swim School’s approach to water safety emphasizes the importance of early intervention and education.

“It’s never too early or too late to learn how to swim.”

At Foss Swim School in Fargo, the Spring Session (March 13th – June 8th ) is full, and enrollment is no longer open. However, beginning May 6th, enrollment opens for the summer session (June 9th – August 30th). Foss also offers a number of “Dry Land Sessions” where people can learn about wearing life jackets, flipping and floating, and waiting to enter water. Whether you’re six months old or 60 years young, learning water safety skills is essential for a lifetime of fun and adventure.
Stay safe, stay visible, and stay informed.