Learning how to swim effectively really pays, but knowing just a little about swimming is knowing how to get into a lot of trouble.

The news media has been inundated lately with stories about terrible water tragedies. Our condolences go out to all of the families who are grieving over a loved one. May God give each family and individual the strength needed to persevere.

Having been involved with instructing Red Cross certified lessons for several years, I realize the critical timeliness of teaching young children, teenagers and adults how to swim effectively. This is a life-skill that does not need to be taken lightly. An education in any subject will only make you better in your field of interest. Swimming and water safety are just as important. These skills could save your life or the life of another.

Effective swimming consists of knowing certain proactive strokes to move your body quickly and fluidly through the water and for distance swimming; certain resting strokes for use when you need to pause for a bit in order to regain strength; breathing techniques that will facilitate the best use of your oxygen and other important skills.

We work with children and teenagers who are very afraid of the water and who want to succumb to their fears. We work with them to overcome their fears and learn to swim effectively. I stress “effectively” because even though someone may think they know how to swim, that may only mean they have some knowledge of swimming. It pays to learn the techniques.

In the weeks we work with our students, nothing is more satisfying than watching them learn the swim skills dictated within each Red Cross level. Through the seasons, we watch them become very competent, confident swimmers.

Water safety is stressed as there are certain rules that should be adhered to such as: “If you’re not trained --don’t go!” Red Cross certified instructor Gale Livingston of Orangeburg is famous for her quote: “Reach, throw or row, but don’t go!”

If someone goes into a distressed situation as an untrained lifeguard, the possibility of multiple fatalities is highly probable. Remember to always have safety equipment available (life jackets, shepherd’s hook, ring buoy, etc.). Or, be trained to know what to look for in an effort to throw an assist to a distressed swimmer.

If someone is not comfortable being involved in a situation where water, alcohol, surroundings and people don’t make for a positive situation, it’s OK to say NO and not to be a part of it. Always ascertain the situation before becoming a part of it – know your safety limits. Know how to get emergency help. NEVER swim alone – you may need help.

Take a moment and consider the importance of knowing how to swim effectively. Water can be unforgiving. Safety should always come first.

We learn to drive effectively because it’s a skill we need; learn to swim effectively because you never know when you’ll need this skill.

Gale Livingston, Geri Wood, Jason Livingston, Molly Bookhart and I are a few of the Red Cross certified water safety Instructors in the area. Please consider contacting an instructor for swimming lessons. It is not expensive to learn, and the skills will last a lifetime.

T&D Correspondent Lisa Treadaway can be reached by e-mail at 3staples@bellsouth.net.

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