Keep an eye on the kids, avoid alcohol and be aware of your surroundings
ROME, Ga., May 22, 2025 – It's that time of the year when swimming activities heat up with the weather. Atrium Health Floyd wants to make sure your spring and summer days at the lake or pool remain pleasant by following some safety precautions.
Watch the kids; don't swim alone
Drowning results in more deaths among children ages 1 to 4 than any other cause except birth defects.
Whether in a pool or a lake, children need to be monitored carefully. When a crowd is present, don't assume someone else is watching your child if you step away to get a drink of water or a hot dog.
“Never assume someone else is watching your child. Parents should always monitor their own children, and they should choose a designated watcher if they have to leave while their kids are in the water," said Lt. Dusty Johnson, with Atrium Health Floyd EMS. “In a crowded pool it is easier than you think for a child to go under and not be spotted."
It is also recommended that everyone should swim with a friend. Swimming alone in an area that has no lifeguard is dangerous, even if you are an adult and a strong swimmer. A muscle cramp or sudden illness could impair your ability to stay afloat and get back to a safe place.
“I know that some adults might think it is silly, but swimming without a friend is just not smart. There are too many terrible things that can happen, and having a friend present just might save your life," Johnson said.
Keep very young children in “touch" range. If you can't touch them, they can easily go underwater.
Don't drink and swim
Drinking alcohol and swimming is not smart. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is involved in nearly one-fourth of emergency department visits for drowning in the U.S.
“Many people associate drinking and water activities, but that combination is extremely dangerous. Aside from hampering your balance and coordination, alcohol also impairs your judgment," said Johnson. “That means you shouldn't be drinking even if you are only supervising other swimmers."
Stay Hydrated
“Swimming can be strenuous, so make sure to drink plenty of water before and after swimming to avoid dehydration," said Katie Hasty, injury prevention coordinator with Atrium Health Floyd's trauma team.
Use Life Jackets When Necessary
Hasty also suggests wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device in situations where you're unsure of your swimming ability (such as boating, kayaking, or swimming in deep or open water).
Take Breaks
Take regular breaks, especially if you're swimming for long periods, to avoid fatigue and cramps, Hasty recommends.
Be aware of the water
Johnson said swimmers should take the time to scope out where you are swimming if you are in a lake or a river. Don't dive into water if you don't know how deep it is or what might be in it. If you are swimming in the ocean, be aware of rip currents.
A rip current can pull you out into deeper water and make it exceedingly difficult to swim directly back to shore. If possible, swim where lifeguards are present and be aware of weather advisories that can indicate if there are any dangers.
Empty kiddie pools
While it is not convenient to empty and refill inflatable pools on a daily basis, Johnson recommends doing just that. It doesn't take much water to be a danger for an unwatched toddler. Even the water in a large cooler can present a hazard.
“It's a pain in the neck to drain and refill small pools each day, but they really do present a danger," said Johnson. “And while you might know what your little ones are doing, a neighbor's toddler could wander onto your property. Taking the time to empty wading pools out each day could prevent a tragedy."
Learn CPR and First Aid
Knowing basic CPR and first aid can make an enormous difference in an emergency. Hasty recommends taking a course so you're prepared for any situation.
The Rome-Floyd YMCA offers summer swimming lessons for members and non-members starting Monday, June 2. The two-week sessions will end on July 31 as the start of school approaches. For more information call the YMCA at 706-232-2468.
About Atrium Health Floyd
The Atrium Health Floyd family of health care services is a leading medical provider and economic force in northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd is part of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Advocate Health, the third-largest nonprofit health system in the United States, created from the combination of Atrium Health and Advocate Aurora Health. Atrium Health Floyd strategically combined with Harbin Clinic in 2024 and employs more than 5,200 teammates who provide care in over 40 medical specialties at four facilities: Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center – a 361-bed full-service, acute care hospital and regional referral center in Rome, Georgia; Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center in Cedartown, Georgia; and Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center in Centre, Alabama; and Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center Behavioral Health, also in Rome. Together, Atrium Health Floyd and Harbin Clinic provide primary care, specialty care and urgent care throughout northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama. Atrium Health Floyd also operates a stand-alone emergency department in Chattooga County, the first such facility to be built from the ground-up in Georgia.
About Advocate Health
Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. Advocate Health is nationally recognized for its expertise in heart and vascular, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs more than 160,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations and offers one of the nation's largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to redefining care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.