Prioritize water safety this summer season.
Prior to entering the realm of travel writing, I earned my keep monitoring swimming pools. At just 15 years old, I obtained my lifeguard certification and grew fond of this type of job.
so
Much of what I did led me to become a lifeguard instructor quickly, followed by taking on the role of a waterpark manager. Over seven years, during summer seasons, I dedicated myself to teaching CPR and handling emergency responses.
first aid emergencies
On any typical afternoon, my responsibility involved safeguarding hundreds, occasionally even thousands, of individuals. This period shaped me into the travel-savvy individual focused on security that I am now, and I frequently rely on the skills I acquired during my time as a lifeguard.
Eager to learn about the safety advice from our seasoned lifeguard? Scroll down to discover the six essential products I suggest for ensuring your security around pools, beaches, and lakes. Below, you’ll come across water safety gear that I restock each season.
polarized sunglasses
,
SPF 50+ products
, and
water shoes
. You’ll also discover essential safety equipment—including
life jackets
,
wound-clotting powder
, and
neon swimsuits
—those I believe should have a permanent place in your beach bag, according to my hands-on experience.
Related:
8 Essential Survival Items Every Hiker Must Carry as Recommended by SAR Pros
U.S. Coast Guard-certified life vests and life jackets
A common error I observe among families, regardless of being at the pool, beach, or lake, involves the incorrect usage of inflatable devices. While arm bands and infant swimming rings might appear charming in photographs, they fail to reliably keep non-swimming children afloat. These inflatables tend to burst readily, and achieving optimal inflation levels can often prove challenging. Additionally, detecting minor leaks or ensuring the inflation valve is sufficiently depressed to prevent air escape can be problematic. Actually, our local water park has completely prohibited external inflatables due to their potential risks.
I highly advise that non-swimmers and weak swimmers—no matter their age—should only use
Coast Guard-approved equipment
Unlike swim floats, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are constructed using robust, buoyant foam and usually feature adjustable straps that enable you to secure the vest snugly around your torso, stopping the user from sliding out of them. On Amazon, various choices are available across differing styles and prices.
infant life jackets
to
toddler puddle jumpers
to
plus-sized adult life vests
, suitable for various types of activities.
Brightly-colored swimsuits
Maintaining proper water safety begins before even entering the water. This involves reviewing swimming pool regulations, wearing suitable life vests, monitoring weather forecasts for potential thunderstorms, and surprisingly, picking an appropriately colored swimwear. If you or someone close to you requires assistance at a communal pool, a natural body of water like a lake, or a seaside area, the hue of your bathing suit plays a crucial role in how swiftly emergency personnel can locate you.
Light-colored swimsuits such as white, pale blue, gray, and green tend to blend into pools more easily, whereas dark tones like navy and black may become less visible in open waters. For this season, consider choosing
bright colors
and
bold prints
that are distinguishable in the water. Think: Neon orange, red, yellow, green, pink, and purple. Amazon is a treasure trove of vibrant bikinis,
one-piece swimsuits
, and swimming trunks that are currently fashionable
and
water-safe.
Grippy footwear
Some of the most serious injuries I encountered while working as a waterpark manager involved patrons slipping and falling by running too quickly across floor tiles or trying to climb up a slippery pool feature. Now, as a former lifeguard who loves soaking up the sun lakeside and at beach destinations, I often see foot-related injuries of the outdoor variety: Slipping on smooth river rocks, foot scrapes caused by coral, and burnt soles due to walking across burning-hot sand.
This summer, I recommend dipping your toes (pun intended) in the world of
water shoes
, should you not have done so yet. Personally, I am the owner of
these Affinest water shoes
From Amazon, they offer an option with an adjustable bungee cord lacing system and sturdy, textured soles designed to safeguard your feet during activities such as river rafting, kayaking, and snorkeling. Should you opt for uncovered toes instead, consider purchasing some slip-resistant water shoes like those available here.
Teva Hurricane Xlt2 sandals
, that you can wear in and out of the water.
Sun Protection Factor and products for sunburn care
There’s nothing worse than the initial sunburn of the summer, however, the positive side is, you can prevent it by generously applying sunscreen.
plenty of SPF
Throughout the day, a solid guideline is to opt for sunscreen that offers water resistance and boasts an SPF rating.
an SPF rating of at least 30
, and to reapply it at least every two hours. As a waterpark lifeguard manager, I urged my lifeguards to double-check the most frequently overlooked areas before stepping onto the platform, such as the tops of their feet, behind their ears, across their shoulders, and even around their lips (indeed,
your lips need SPF
, too).
Besides sunscreen, I also recommend stocking up on burn remedy products, too—just in case. This
Alocane Max Emergency Burn Gel
is appropriate for treating first-degree burns; it includes lidocaine hydrochloride for rapid pain and itching relief, benzalkonium chloride to ward off infections, and aloe to calm inflamed skin.
For mild sunburns, often a quality aloe gel is sufficient for alleviation—when choosing one, I suggest opting for items that do not contain extra perfumes or irritants, such as this.
Organic Aloe Vera Gel by Badger
, which can be safely applied to both the face and body.
Note:
Be sure to check with your physician prior to using any non-prescription items.
Proper eye protection
Dust, sunblock, pool chemicals, seawater, and ultraviolet light: These summertime elements can make your eyes feel itchy, irritated, and delicate. Although this advice might sound obvious, I suggest getting multiple pairs of sunglasses for the season.
swim goggles
and
polarized sunglasses
If you misplace your swimming goggles in the Pacific Ocean or inadvertently tread on your reliable sunglasses while walking, you’ll have an extra pair readily available.
I personally have multiple pairs of
Bircen sunglasses
—They’re fashionable, affordable, and available in a broad spectrum of colors and designs. Additionally, they offer UV400 protection from the Sun’s damaging rays. While many good swimming goggles are out there, having been a lifeguard, I can say
and
I’m an adult who only purchases items as someone who was a competitive swimmer during childhood.
goggles from Speedo
.
When it comes to eliminating chlorine, salt water, sand particles, or perhaps stray eyelashes from your eyes,
gentle eyewash solution
Will work effectively. Nonetheless, meticulously flushing your eyes might prove challenging if you (or your child) dislike using eyedrops. In such cases, I suggest opting for an alternative method.
pressurized eye wash cup
Into your beach bag it goes. Simply load it up with eyewash solution, position your open eye above the opening, and press the silicone bulb gently. This action will circulate the eyewash through and around your eye, effectively cleansing it from any foreign particles.
A water-resistant sack along with emergency medical items
I’ll be the first to acknowledge that crocheted crossbody bags and raffia
beach totes
are perfect for summer, but these choices often end up doing
diddly squat
When it comes to safeguarding your belongings from sand, waves, and broken containers of sunscreen, if you can’t imagine going to the beach without such protection, I suggest at least using one.
water-resistant case or cosmetic bag
Inside to safeguard your phone, medicines, sunscreen items, and other necessities against the weather.
I personally dislike the notion of water touching anything I own, be it my towel, snacks, or beach reads.
Waterproof dry bags
they’re perfect for enthusiasts of water sports—these options are sturdy, spacious, and
actually
waterproof, making them great companions near any water source.
As for what goes
inside
that bag, I recommend investing in a quality, compact first aid kit. I love this
option from M2 Basics
. It fits into the palm of your hand and comes with multiple types of bandages and wound dressings—but unlike some other small first aid kits, it also comes with an emergency blanket to fight off
water-induced hypothermia
, a CPR facial shield, and
a tourniquet
To halt excessive bleeding. On the topic of circulation, I suggest adding
pack of BleedStop
into your first aid kit, just in case. Water exposure can make it incredibly difficult for wounds to naturally form a blood clot, and this powder can help in an emergency.
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