With summer finally upon us, troopers here at the Post would like to put out some reminders regarding water safety. As our state has 1,194 square miles of inland waters, 38,575 square miles of Great Lakes water area, and 3,126 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, we are quite fortunate. Though our summers are short, many of us take to the water at our first opportunity. Whether it’s swimming, fishing, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, or by some other means, we find a way to take advantage of it, and should.

Along with enjoying the water, also comes responsibilities. Emergencies in the water are often silent, unexpected, and happen quickly. The water shouldn’t necessarily be feared, but always respected. Sometimes just taking a few extra precautions and using some common sense could make the difference between a nice experience and a tragedy.

Who enjoys the water more than children? Most love it and can somehow get out there and splash around in 50-degree water without batting an eye. Not quite so for me. Some families are fortunate enough to have a pool with a little warmer water, but remember that even the little plastic pools can pose a danger to a small child if they are left unattended. For larger, unattended pools, remove the access ladders, secure pool covers, lock/ latch any access gates, and possibly install barriers to prevent unsupervised access.

Constant supervision is a must whenever a child is in or around the water. Never leave them “just for a second” to answer the phone, doorbell, etc. Avoid any distractions and try to remain within arms reach. Expecting other children to watch the ” little ones” isn’t acceptable either. Please do not trust the life of a child to another child. Use floatation devices and/or have them readily available. I think it’s important to note here that drowning is the secondleading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1-14.

For the pre-teen kids who have some experience in the water and can swim a little, there still should be supervision. As their water skills progress a little more year after year, they tend to venture out into deeper water and take more chances. If at all possible, enroll them in water orientation or swimming courses. These are a great idea and gives them some life long skills. Kids also usually like using inner tubes, flotation mats, paddle boats, kayaks, etc. Again, constant supervision should be adhered to. It doesn’t take a very strong wind or current to push these flotation devices offshore and out of reach.

Knowing your limitations in the water needs to be mentioned. As some of you may know or have heard, the Michigan State Police water safety program has somewhat of a reputation. Basically, a reputation of being tough and to terrorize (stress / push) a young MSP recruit to their limits. Having experienced this myself, I can’t say I enjoyed it, but realized the importance of the terror (stress) factor and becoming exhausted in the water. One of the main points the instructors wanted to get across to us was that we need to know our limitations in the water. If we were to be called to help someone in distress in the water, we needed to react appropriately to be effective. Realizing our own limitations, not panicking, utilizing rescue devices, and applying learned techniques would give us the best chance for survival and a successful rescue. With that being said, this rings true for all of us, whether you’re the one having trouble in the water, or are in a position to help someone struggling in the water. Know your limitations.

Do not panic. Find and use a flotation device or other rescue equipment. Take a water safety class and or CPR course. Even good swimmers can quickly get themselves into trouble during a rescue attempt.

Recognizing an emergency is important. A distressed swimmer needs help immediately. Every second counts and survival depends on a quick rescue and immediate care. Pay attention, know where any available rescue equipment is, have a phone available and keep a first aid kit.

Lastly, a few other things we should mention include the dangers of diving into unknown or shallow water, rip currents, undertows, swimming alone, alcohol and or drug use in and around the water, hypothermia, staying out of restricted areas, pulling skiers or tubers safely, boating under the influence, and using watercraft recklessly.

Most of these last points are self-explanatory and using common sense usually will alleviate any problems. Keep your summers safe and enjoyable, we all know that winter will be back soon.

Trooper Matt Djerf is a community service trooper for the Michigan State Police/Calumet Post.