Water Safety Tips
 
General Water Safety Rules
Learn To Swim
Never Swim Alone
Swim Only in Safe Areas, Never Swim in a Ditch or River
Never Chew Gum or Eat While Swimming
Supervise Children and Weak Swimmers at All Times
Always Wear a Personal Flotation Device/Life Jacket When Boating or Near Moving Water
RESPECT THE WATER
Basic Rescue Guidelines
Reach
- 
hold on to something stable and reach with your other hand to the person in the water
Throw - 
if you cannot reach with your hand, toss things that float for the person to hold onto
  
Row - 
if in a boat use oars to move the boat close to the person in the water
  
Don’t Go
- do not go into the water unless professionally trained and certified and have the necessary equipment to do so
Boating Guidelines
Know your boat
Always wear a Personal Flotation Device/Life Jacket
Don’t stand while boat is moving
Make sure there is an experienced adult operating the boat
Don’t get on the boat if the operator has been drinking alcohol
Check the weather prior to departing
Carry a cell phone in a waterproof container (can be as simple as placing phone in a heavy duty zip lock bag and using duct tape to seal it).
Let someone know where you are going and when you will return, and stick to that plan
If 
floating a river,
 use a professional guide and raft
River Dangers
A river is moving faster than it appears, strong currents and undertows can make it impossible to swim effectively, even in shallow water
A river can have many hidden dangers beneath the surface that can trap or severely injure you. Some of these dangers include: cars, glass, trees, debris, sharp metal objects, barb wire, etc.
Hypothermia: water dissipates heat away from the body 20 times faster than air, even in the summer time, extended exposure to the water can be dangerous.
If caught in a current, float on your back traveling downstream feet first, angle your body towards shore (45 degree angle)
Video Moving Water, Adventure or Danger?
  
Floods
Pay close attention to weather and news alerts
Don't try to drive across flooded roads, water can stall a vehicle and waters can rise extremely fast putting the driver and passengers at risk. Swift water can easily move a car.
If in immediate danger of flood water, move to higher ground ASAP.
Do not play in or drink flood water, flood water is contaminated with numerous health hazards
If aware that a flood is coming, be prepared, have plenty of food, bottled water, radio, flashlights, batteries, and clothes
Now that you have read a little bit about water safety you will research basic water rescue.
Take a look at the websites below. You will be asked to describe basic water rescue in an assignment. 
 
http://www.lifesaving.com/
http://pawaterrescue.org/
http://www.rbbi.com/folders/acc/rescue.htm
http://www.oceanrescue.com/page2.html
 
 
On page 1 several sites were given to learn about basic water rescue. After researching water rescue identify and describe the critical elements of basic water rescue. Include an evaluation of safety considerations, physical strength, movement etc. You may research other websites if you would like but please include an alternative sites.