Travel tips from AIG for summer water safety

Summer is nearly here which means fun in the sun (and water)! Swimming in exotic and unfamiliar places can be one of the greatest pleasures of travelling, but it might also be one of the riskiest activities. Even experienced swimmers should take precautions since infections, injuries and drowning can occur. In fact drowning accounts for 13% of deaths in the US travellers abroad.¹ Keep a close eye on your surroundings and follow these common sense safety tips for an enjoyable day in the water.

Learn to Swim

One of the best things you can do to prevent a water accident is ensure all family members know how to swim. Even if you are a good swimmer, do not wade at the top of a waterfall unless there is a safe, closed in area. Do not dive unless you are absolutely certain that the water is deep enough and there are no boulders or other obstacles that might cause injury.

Never leave children unattended

If you are visiting the local beach, swimming pool, dam or river, never leave children unattended. Currents and underwater hazards can prove to be unexpected dangers in the water. Children who cannot swim should always be monitored even if they are wearing flotation devices, which may create a false sense of comfort and security.

Wear a life Jacket

Whether a child or adult, life jackets are important while boating or using other recreational water vehicles. Wear a life jacket at all times while operating a water vehicle. When swimming, inexperienced or small children should wear life jackets, but children should never be left alone in the water, whether wearing a safety device or not.

Check Local Beach Conditions

If you are visiting a beach you can often rely on the flag system for water safety. In South Africa a red flag means no swimming so stay out of the water as strong undertows and rip tides are present. If you find yourself caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shoreline until you escape the currents pull. A red and yellow flag means lifeguards are on duty and you should only swim between their flags. If travelling in other countries , a flag system may not be available so you should check in with your hotel’s concierge or the local lifeguard for more information.

Take Selfies Safely

Taking a picture or selfie on the water may seem like a picture perfect opportunity but sometimes taking a photo comes with great risk to yourself and others. Take note of the surrounding area and snap pictures on steady ground. Don’t take selfies on uneven rocks by the shore with strong waves that may cause you to be washed away and avoid taking pictures while engaging in water sports to prevent capsizing or going overboard.

As long as you are aware of your surroundings and take precautions, a day in the water can be one of the many highlights of a trip. A Travel Guard® travel insurance plan can cover for medical emergencies and even includes 24/7 assistance services to assist with emergency medical evacuation/transportation assistance, flights and hotel re-booking, dispatch of doctors, urgent message relay to family and friends, and more, so you can book your vacation with confidence. To find out more simply ask your travel agent or visit www.travelguard.com

Sources:
1. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/safe-swimming-diving
2. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety.html
3. https://www.nationalwatersafetymonth.org