Throwing Assists & Reaching Assists

When planning a trip to the beach, make sure you equip yourself with a few items that could be the difference in the event of an emergency.  Below are some suggestions for throwing and reaching assists to take with you.

Throwing Assist - a buoyant object you can throw to a swimmer in distress to aid in their ability to stay above the water
- PFD (personal flotation device)
- flutter board
- water noodle

Reaching Assists - an object you can throw to a swimmer in distress and while maintaining a grasp on the other end pull the person to land
- rope
- towel
- tshirt
- paddle

Know your abilities and your children's abilities before entering the water.

Make sure you are familiar with your surroundings before you head into an open body of water.

Make sure someone else knows where you will be swimming.

Don't assume you will have cellular phone reception at all beaches, if you don't how would you get help if needed?

PREVENTION = LIFE

Count down is on....

Sunday July 21st was our crew get together training day.  A beautiful afternoon in Bayfield, our Swim Master is impressed with our crew, captains and vessels!  The training day was an important day for the captains to meet and assign tasks to their vessels, review zodiac operations with lifeguards/boat operators, and go over my "wants" out of my pacers!  Like any journey mapping out and review safety is first and foremost!  Of course we ended the session with some delicious food :)

Thanks to all involved for a successful day and a happy Swim Master!

 5 days to go!

Increased Number of Drownings at 1/2 way point of summer 2013

Please take the time to read the below article from Baraba Byers, Public Education Director of the Lifesaving Society.

Alarming increases in drownings already this year, read the statistics.

See the Lifesaving Society's Water Safety Message.


http://www.lifesavingsociety.com/media/158359/98ndpwreleasejuly2013.pdf


These deaths ARE preventable, let's start making a difference!  Educate yourself and your loved ones.

Lifejackets SAVE lives

It is estimated that 80% of victims in boating deaths are not wearing lifejackets (Lifesaving Society).

Education and action can save these lives.

Wear your lifejacket!

THANK YOU! RE: Waterloo Service Centre Open House

A huge Waterloo WAHOO to my colleagues for putting on another fantastic Service Centre Open House on Satuday June 15th.  SEALS Swim to Survive was honoured to have a booth at the open house and take part in the festivities as well as spread the message about our cause, drowning prevention.  A HUGE thank you to colleagues and residents for your generous donations through the  BBQ!  Also, to my dedicated volunteers Wil, Shanna and Jaclyn!

June 11th Practice

Practicing in the pool and doing dry land training is no comparison to being in the open water!  Nature has a way of consuming me and putting me at ease.  The 48 degree water was face numbing, but that didn't stop me from getting a 1.2 hour workout in.  The morning was drizzly and very foggy.  The water was calm and cold.  Just me and the geese taking a swim along the shore line.

How to Donate!

Interested in learning how to get involved or donate? Contact Lesley at sealsswimtosurvive@gmail.com or go to the Lifesaving Society website, click "Donate Now" and choose the "SEALS Swim to Survive" Fund/Designate - thank you for helping us educate children about water safety and providing them with essential survival skills!

http://www.lifesavingsociety.com/donate.aspx

http://london.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=938252