Water Safety and Serving Our Military Community

At Katie’s Kickers, the heart and soul of what we do is teach children how to safely approach and

experience the water. Located in the Hampton Roads and serving the Virginia Beach, Norfolk and

Chesapeake areas, we understand and embrace the fact that a very large portion of the families who

take our water safety classes are military, and we are proud to serve them!

During May’s Military Appreciation Month, we want to thank our families for their service to our country

and also encourage new families moving into the area to reach out to us and learn how we can help

your family navigate water as safely as possible.

Below, we’re sharing 10 ways that you and your family can increase water safety, all of which we build upon at Katie’s Kickers.

Although it may seem like a harmless decision, swimming alone actually carries huge risk. So many unknown situations could cause you to end up in a dangerous scenario – from personal injury, unexpected health emergencies, and more. All of which could compromise your ability to safely swim. By swimming with a buddy, you’re providing yourself with the opportunity for help should a scary or unexpected situation occur.

Never dive into shallow or unknown waters to avoid the risk of injury. Even if it’s a pool that you frequent often and feel comfortable around, accidents still frequently occur with diving. If diving for some reason can’t be avoided, make sure you are careful in your approach and not rushed, have clear water to navigate and plenty of depth.

If you hear thunder, see lightening or if it starts to rain, be sure to get out of the water as soon as possible. Mother Nature is powerful and unpredictable, but try your best to check the weather report to be as prepared as possible before navigating any bodies of water for the day.

If there are safety signs posted in a public swimming area, be sure that your children understand the rules and that they’re to be followed for safety purposes. Our children learn best by example, so if we place importance on following these rules, they will as well.

If you ever find anyone else in trouble in the water, it’s best to assist by throwing a flotation device or reaching from a stable area. Although we are inclined to immediately jump in the water to help, the panic in that moment can present an unsafe and unpredictable situation you might not be equipped for. So, it’s important to stay calm and assess the situation so you can approach as safely as possible.

You never know how sturdy an ice layer is over a body of water, and if you were to fall through the ice, it is extremely difficult to escape to the surface. Avoid this risk entirely by steering clear of ice.

Even if you’re a proficient swimmer, one of the best ways to practice water safety is by wearing a life jacket. If you and your children are on a boat, it’s imperative you wear one in case you were to unexpectedly end up in the water. It’s always better to be prepared and safe for any situation.

Children can become so excited about swimming that it’s easy to lose sight of them in their haste to play. Avoid potential danger by only swimming in areas with lifeguards on duty. The extra set of eyes are there for their safety, and lifeguards are medically and professionally trained in case of an emergency.

Never push past what your personal limits are. By being in tune with how much we can physically handle while swimming, we avoid being in a situation where we run out of breath or stamina in a body of water.

Certainly, the number one way to practice water safety is by learning to swim! By signing up for

our classes at Katie’s Kickers, your children will learn safety skills needed to navigate water while

also teaching them confidence in their abilities to practice water safety! Check out our classes here >