Oceans cover about 71% of the Earth’s surface, moving 1.3 billion cubic km of water around the globe. Naturally, such a gigantic force draws us to it.
Life blossoms in their depths and weather systems move with their currents. The dangers equal its wonder when humans play recklessly with this magnificent force.
Fearing the water isolates one from an important aspect of Earth, so instead, we need to respect it. Keep reading to learn how to teach children about ocean safety so they may learn and grow through experiencing these waters.
Give Swim Lessons
Before visiting a beach, teach your children to swim. The strength they build may keep them safe if a wave pulled them into deep water away from you.
Swimming takes a lot of energy and can exhaust a child quickly. Teaching them to float may keep their head above water long enough for a rescue.
Set Boundaries
Boundaries allow kids to freely explore a designated area. This keeps them safe while still allowing them to experience their surroundings.
Set very strict and clear boundaries about where the kids may go when visiting the ocean. Look for landmarks where you can still clearly see and tell them to stay within those lines on the stretch of beach.
Younger kids, you should only allow on dry sand without an adult for beach safety. Older kids, you may allow in alone by setting a point on their body, like up to their knees.
Explain Currents and Waves
Water safety requires an understanding of its force. Currents and waves both carry incredible power. At the beach, you may experience riptides and undertow currents.
Both pull you away from the shore. Teach your child to stay calm and swim parallel if caught in a current.
If they tire out, they should remain calm and use their float. They should call for help without panicking.
Teach kids how to spot a rip current by noticing spots of darker water, fewer breaking waves, or chaotic water. This will help prevent a scary situation.
Kids should also know that big waves can hit unexpectedly. Their force can knock them down and pull them outward.
For this reason, they should remain in shallow water or away from the shore altogether. If a wave does pull them outward, teach them to swim with the current of the next wave moving in toward the shore.
Send your kids to surf camp. Here they will learn the waves and water currents more deeply. Surfing teaches them to harness the power to flow with it rather than fight against it.
Implement the Buddy System
The ocean sometimes acts in unpredictable waves. Even while following rules, something scary may happen.
For this reason, implement a buddy system for any beach water activities. Teach them to never step in alone.
Set up a safety protocol for if something does happen to one child. They should know not to attempt a rescue on their own, but to get a lifeguard right away.
Ocean Safety Matters
A child can learn more from exploring the ocean than they can by reading a book about it. But, you must teach them ocean safety first, because failure to do so can result in serious injury or death.
Are you planning your vacation getaway? Find tips on our travel page!
