Public health officials, first responders, and aquatic professionals in the Austin area are sharing water safety tips ahead of the Memorial Day weekend and the summer of 2024.
May is National Water Safety Month, and local government agencies are committed to educating Austin residents on simple steps to prevent drownings and keep families safe.
Austin Public Health reminds both residents and visitors that while pools, streams, lakes, and oceans offer relief from Texas's hot summers, they also pose risks:
Last year, 440 people lost their lives in drowning incidents; 90 of those deaths were children.
"Drowning is quick and silent and can happen to anyone."
Children should always be supervised near water. Have a phone available for emergencies but avoid talking or texting while supervising children in the water.
Drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged one to four years. Children are at higher risk in pools, especially backyard pools.
Older children, including teenagers, are at greater risk in open waters such as lakes and rivers.
Everyone should wear a life jacket when in open waters. Many Travis County parks have life jacket loaner stations where you can borrow a life jacket while at the park.
Central Texas safety and health officials urge residents to stay safe both in and out of the water during the holiday weekend with these safety tips:
Boating Safety from Travis County Sheriff's Office Boating Safety Unit & Austin Police Department Lake Patrol
Ensure all boat occupants wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket or have one easily accessible while the boat is moving.
Make sure your boat has functioning navigation lights for night travel.
In case of an emergency on a boat or lake:
Tip 1: Throw a flotation device to the distressed person.
Tip 2: Know your location on the lake using maps and landmarks.
Tip 3: Do not assist anyone unless you are wearing a life jacket.
Tip 4: Alert nearby boaters by shouting, whistling, or sounding your horn.
When encountering a police boat with emergency lights on, slow down until there is no wake and wait for instructions from the officer.
Ensure your motorized boat has enough fire extinguishers onboard and that all occupants know their locations for easy access during emergencies.
Call 911 if someone gets injured while boating or if you see erratic or unsafe boating behavior. Provide dispatch with an accurate description of the vessel and its location when observed.
Water Safety Prevention & First Aid Tips from Emergency Medical Services
Tip 1: Never leave children unattended!
Tip 2: If a child goes missing, check the water first.
Tip 3: Learn CPR! CPR saves lives. Recent data shows only 28% of drowning victims receive CPR or mouth-to-mouth resuscitation before emergency medical services arrive.
Pool Safety Tips from Emergency Medical Services & Parks & Recreation Aquatics Division
Know real signs of drowning:
- Head low in water with mouth open
- Hyperventilating or gasping
- Glassy eyes unable to focus
- No response when asked if okay
- Hair over forehead/eyes
- Vertical position in water without progress
- Trying to roll onto back
- Appearing to climb an invisible ladder
Assign a "water guardian." A water guardian’s role differs from that of a lifeguard; they watch over swimmers to prevent emergencies while lifeguards are trained for rescue operations during emergencies.
Learn how to swim. Taking swimming lessons reduces drowning risks. It’s never too late to improve swimming skills. Knowing how to swim can save lives and prevent drownings.
The Austin Parks & Recreation Aquatics Division offers swimming classes citywide. Summer swimming classes have available spots with financial assistance for qualified applicants.
Always stay alert near any body of water; closely supervise everyone present.
Swim only in designated areas with lifeguards whenever possible. Be aware of specific risks associated with each facility or body of water (currents, shallow/deep areas, submerged rocks/logs).
Always swim with someone; never swim alone.
A comprehensive list of resources for water safety (in English) is included below:
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2024 Austin Area Water Safety Tips
Water Safety Health Statistics
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Prevention_and_Early_Intervention/Child_Drownings/
Colin’s Hope
https://www.colinshope.org/water-safety-resources/drowning-statistics/
Boating Safety
Texas Parks & Wildlife
https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/safety/safety_tips/
Water Safety Prevention & First Aid
ATCEMS Water Safety
https://www.austintexas.gov/page/water-safety
ATCEMS Hands-Only CPR
https://www.austintexas.gov/page/hands-only-cpr-instructor-request-form
ATCEMS CPR Training
https://www.austintexas.gov/page/regional-training-center-cpr-training
Pool Safety
American Red Cross
Austin Swimming Classes & Importance of Knowing How to Swim
2024 Aquatic Program Guide - Austin Parks and Recreation Department - Swimming Classes
English | Spanish
Austin Parks and Recreation Department Aquatic Division
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