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Two people recently drowned in Lake Weir in Ocala, Florida. According to authorities, two family members were celebrating the life of a family member who was killed in an underwater miming accident when the drowning occurred. A woman and her child were swimming in the lake when the woman began having trouble, said the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The woman’s brother-in-law jumped in to help and was able to help get the child back to the boat safety. Unfortunately, when he went back to get the woman, they were not able to make it back to the boat safely. The names of the victims have not been released.
Drowning remains a significant public health concern, as it is a major cause of disability and death. Although drownings are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children under the age of 14, adults are also at risk for drowning. The surprising reality is that thousands of adults do not know how to swim. Many are aquaphobic (abnormal and persistent fear of water) and dread even the thought of getting into a pool. Fortunately, there are exercises that adults can practice to help them feel more comfortable in the water.
An adult learning how to swim should first get acclimated with water. For a person to feel comfortable in a typical swimming position, a person needs to get used to having water in their face, eyes, mouth, ears, and nose. A person should practice at home by splashing water in the bathtub or sink.
In addition, an adult swimmer should become familiar with the motion of the water and how the body moves in it. Many people think that once they are in the water they should start swimming exercises right away, but it is more important to feel comfortable getting into the pool and standing in waist-deep water. Take time to walk around the pool to feel how the water pushes against you. Jumping up and down/ forwards and backwards will help to provide body awareness to water resistance.
These activities are only meant to be a starting point for adults who are interested in swimming but afraid of the water. There are many recreational centers and public pools in Jacksonville that offer classes in beginning swimming and water safety for adults. Ask your local swimming facility about private individual lessons if a group setting makes you nervous. Taking the family to the beach or pool can be an enjoyable time and everyone should be able to have in the water, regardless of age.
For more information on this topic, see two people drown in Lake Weir in Ocala.