Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Summer Swimming and Pool Safety Tips Report Number: Location: Ventura County Date & Time: 6/1/2017 Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age Narrative: Summer Swimming and Pool Safety Tips from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Summer is around the corner and swimming is one of the most popular activities for children and adults. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office urges everyone to consider the following safety tips whenever you are in, on or around water. Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards or provide supervision for children if a lifeguard is not present. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system. Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate water orientation and Learn-to-Swim courses. 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. Avoid alcohol use. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination; affects swimming and diving skills; and reduces the body’s ability to stay warm. Pool Parties Arrange for certified, insured lifeguards for parties. One or more certified lifeguards should be on the “must have” list of anyone hosting a pool party. According to the International Life Saving Federation, drowning is a leading cause of death worldwide, and more than half of all drowning deaths are children under the age of 15. While the presence of lifeguards isn’t a guarantee against accidents or injuries, their training could be a lifesaver. Local recreation departments and businesses with pools employ lifeguards with current certifications including water rescue, first aid and CPR. These places could be a good resource for finding a certified lifeguard. Prevent Unsupervised Access to the Water Ensure that pool barriers enclose the entire pool area, are at least 5-feet high with gates that are self-closing, self-latching and open outward, and away from the pool. The latch should be high enough to be out of a small child’s reach. If you have an above-ground or inflatable pool, remove access ladders and secure the safety cover whenever the pool is not in use. Maintain Constant Supervision Actively supervise kids whenever around the water—even if lifeguards are present. Do not just drop your kids off at the public pool or leave them at the beach—designate a responsible adult to supervise. Know “What to Do in an Emergency.” If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Know how and when to call 9-1-1. Enroll in home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent and respond to emergencies. Swimming is the most popular summer activity. The best thing you can do to help your family stay safe is to enroll your children in age-appropriate swim lessons and swim under the supervision of a certified lifeguard. Have fun and stay safe. Additional water safety tips can be found on the internet. Prepared by: Deputy Havelka News Release Date: 6/01/2017 Media Follow-Up Contact: Captain Garo Kuredjian, 805-797-6322 Sergeant Eric Buschow 805-947-8129 Approved by: Captain Fryhoff