Swim Safety: Help Your Group Enjoy a Day in the Sun
June 29, 2016
Swimming is a timeless summer activity. Regardless of whether your group visits a pool, recreation center, ocean, or pond, keep the following safety precautions in mind to assure safety as your group enjoys fun in the sun.
Location inspection
Start by checking your location for safety concerns.
- If your group plans to use a natural body of water, scout your swimming area for hazards, such as drop-offs and strong currents. Also check the area for dangerous wildlife.
- Before activities begin, advise your group about potential dangers and rules of conduct.
Monitoring safety
Make sure someone keeps an eye on your swimmers at all times.
- Ideally, your group should employ at least one lifeguard, someone who possesses certifications in water rescue techniques and knows how to recognize signs of swimmer distress.
- If employing a lifeguard is not feasible, ask adult chaperones to supervise your swimming area. Your group should have at least one CPR-certified adult.
- The larger your group and swimming area, the more pairs of eyes you need.
Skill levels
Create a certification test to gauge your swimmers’ skill levels.
- Young children and inexperienced swimmers should wade no deeper than neck level.
- Consider using colored wristbands to help your chaperones monitor inexperienced swimmers.
- Keep in mind that water wings, noodles, and other “floaties” do not constitute lifesaving devices.
Set up your program for safety
Create your break schedule, define your swimming area, and provide supervision with safety in mind.
- Pair all swimmers, and conduct buddy checks every 30 minutes to ensure that all swimmers are accounted for.
- Schedule breaks to ensure that swimmers have a chance to rest, cool down, or warm up.
- Make sure your swimmers stay within a defined area, so chaperones can see them clearly.
- Stay attuned to weather developments. Clear your swimming area, and move everyone to shelter if a storm approaches.
- Bring extra water, sunscreen, and first-aid equipment.
These guidelines will help keep your group’s activity schedule rolling smoothly and go a long way to averting the risks inherent in water activities.
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For Timothy Roddy, sales executive at Bitner Henry Insurance Group, building the Kingdom is as much a part of his life as breathing oxygen or eating breakfast. It isn’t a switch he turns on and off, but a habit embedded in his daily routines—both in his career and in his personal activities.
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Most ministry leaders don’t realize there is funding available to non-profit employers including churches, schools, colleges, and camps. This post includes some highlights about the credit and guidance on where to start to see if your ministry is eligible.
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Though child abuse may not be something you could ever imagine happening within your ministry, sexual abuse of a minor is one of the top five reasons churches end up in court, according to Church Law & Tax. Studies also show that a child is much more likely to be sexually abused by a trusted adult than a stranger.
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Did you know that the precious metal Rhodium is more than 10 times more valuable than gold? It has increased from $650 an ounce in 2015 to $22,000 an ounce in 2021.
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As temperatures plummet, the risk of freezing pipes soars. Frozen pipes can cause costly messes that could also put your ministry on hold while you clean up.
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A mid-November deadline in the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) bankruptcy proceedings may have you wondering what the organization’s bankruptcy filing means for your ministry if you ever hosted or chartered Boy Scout Troops.
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Organizations that obtained Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding through the CARES Act can have their loans forgiven, turning them into grants. To qualify, each borrower must file a forgiveness application with its PPP lender, proving that it followed the rules. If your church, school, college, or camp meets all the criteria, 100% of its loan can be forgiven.
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Not only can summer heat be uncomfortable, but it can also pose a threat to your health. The heat can be especially dangerous for the elderly and for infants. Regardless of your age, don’t let the summer heat get the best of you!
- March 30, 2020
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- March 6, 2020
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As concern over the dangers associated with the spread of a new coronavirus, COVID-19, spreads, our agency and Brotherhood Mutual want to keep you informed and provide best practices for managing the spread of this and similar illnesses at your ministry.
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The first Sunday in February is a big day for sports fans. In fact, many Americans view Super Bowl Sunday as a national holiday. Friends and families will gather this year to watch the big game, enjoy delicious snacks, and of course, critique the commercials that go along with game day.
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Recently, we learned about two major overseas incidents involving pastors on mission trips. The first incident involved a pastor being hit by a motorcycle while running. The second was a bus accident involving two pastors. The runner and one of the two bus passengers sustained extensive injuries.
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July 4th is synonymous with food, fun, and fireworks. If your church is planning an event this Independence Day, remember to keep a focus on safety, so that everyone can have fun.
- June 28, 2019
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National Insurance Awareness Day falls on June 28 this year to remind people everywhere that insurance is vital to their companies and ministries.
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- June 1, 2018
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The National Safety Council has designated June as National Safety Month, so we want to make sure your ministry is doing everything it can to protect its people, property, and programs. Each week in June, we’ll tackle a different topic. Up this week: Emergency Preparedness.