Summer Swimming Safety
3 Tips for Swimming in Open Water
There’s nothing like taking a dip in a nearby pond, lake, or even the ocean. For many, it’s a summertime tradition. However, swimming in open bodies of water brings certain safety risks, as these environments are not nearly as controlled as public, club, or backyard pools. Everyone should follow these tips to have a fun and safe time cooling off under the summer sun.
NEVER SWIM ALONE. When you swim in virtually any body of water, having someone there to keep an eye on you can be a lifesaver: the more people, the better. Stick to bodies of water with a professional lifeguard on duty when possible, though that’s not always an option. When swimming in open bodies of water, have a “designated spotter” to keep an eye on the swimmers. This way, you’re prepared if anything bad happens. It’s also a great idea to keep flotation devices nearby, such as life jackets, life rings, foam boards, etc.
Every year, Lexington Life, a local magazine devoted to business and culture in our area, publishes a list of the “Best of Lexington.” You’ll find every type of business on the list, from ice cream shops to audiologists. For this year’s list, we’ve been chosen as the best criminal defense practice in Lexington. We can’t express how honored and humbled we are to share the list with such venerable institutions as Groucho’s Deli and Saluda Shoals Park. What makes the distinction special is that it’s voted on by Lexington residents. All accolades feel great to receive, but the most meaningful are always those decided by the people we serve. We could get all the industry awards in the world, but they wouldn’t mean squat if we didn’t create a great experience for our clients. They are the people toward whom all of our efforts are directed. If we can’t get a vote of confidence from them, nothing else matters. Furthermore, it’s great to be featured in Lexington Life because we’re avid fans of the publication. We’ve been a Lexington-based firm since the earliest days of our practice. When we moved offices, it was from one part of the city to another. Our history as a firm is inextricably linked to Lexington. We couldn’t think of a magazine we’d rather be in —well, until Jim lands on Time’s “100 Most Influential People” list. We’d like to share our deepest gratitude to everyone who voted to include us on this year’s “Best of Lexington” list. Truly, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. We wouldn’t be anywhere, let alone in the pages of Lexington Life, without you. WATCH FOR RIP CURRENTS. These can occur at any beach without warning. They pull swimmers away from shore and are strong enough that even excellent swimmers struggle to get through them. In fact, rip currents are behind nearly 80% of beach rescues. Keep an eye on the foam at the surface of the water. If it seems to suddenly pull away from the beach, there’s a good chance a rip current is lurking beneath. If you find yourself in a rip current, it’s crucial to remain calm and avoid expending energy swimming directly back to shore. Instead, try swimming parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO. Sometimes, it’s next to impossible to see what’s under the surface of the water. If you are unfamiliar with a body of water, don’t jump or dive in without knowing how deep it is. If you cannot confirm what is under the surface (and the spot is not a known diving location), don’t risk it. It may be okay to swim or wade, but jumping is out of the question. Along these same lines, be VERY careful around bodies of slow-moving or standing water. These can house dangerous microbes and other contaminants that can make you ill and potentially be deadly.
An Honor Voted on by Our Community Why We’re So Proud to Be ‘Best of Lexington’
2 The Law Office of James R. Snell Jr., LLC | P: 803-753-1476
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