Swimming safety
The American Red Cross offers these important swimming safety tips people should be aware of before heading for the pool or beach:› Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards› Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone› Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water› Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone› Maintain constant supervision› Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses› If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time› Avoid distractions when supervising children around water› If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability› Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit› Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number› Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies› Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15› Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in themSource: American Red Cross
A Vanderbilt University baseball pitcher is likely the latest drowning victim in Tennessee, his death marking the end of the first week of summer break with tragedy.
Authorities said Donny Everett, 19, drowned on Normandy Lake in Coffee County, Tenn., Thursday evening while spending the day on the water with two friends and two teammates.
The four companions said their friend and another person were on the west side of Fire Lake Bridge when Everett got in the water and tried to swim east across the lake. Everett got halfway and began asking for help, according to the Coffee County Sheriff’s Office in Manchester.
Everett’s friends thought he was “just joking around” at first, according to the sheriff’s office statement. One friend reached Everett and pulled him several feet but also was struggling to stay on the surface. He released Everett to head back toward shore, still thinking Everett was “joking,” officials said.