• Do not chew gum or eat while you swim; you could easily choke.
• Never drink alcohol and swim.
• Use common sense about swimming after eating. In general, you do not have to wait an hour after eating before you may safely swim. However, if you have had a large meal, it is wise to let digestion get started before doing strenuous activity such as swimming.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

• If you come upon a person in an emergency, remember CHECK-CALL-CARE: CHECK the scene to ensure it's safe and CHECK the victim, CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency number, and CARE for the person until help arrives
• Take an American Red Cross CPR and first aid class.

KNOW YOUR LIMITS

• Watch out for the "dangerous too's"-too tired, too cold, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Stay out of the water when overheated.
• Know your swimming limits and stay within them. Don't try to keep up with a stronger skilled swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you. Keep an eye on weaker swimmers-if they appear tired, encourage them to rest on land.
• Obey "No Diving" signs, which always indicate the area is unsafe for head-first entries. Always check the depth of the water before you dive. A general rule is to enter feet first into water rather than head-first if you don't know the depth. In addition, learn the correct way to dive from a qualified instructor.
• Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming as soon as you see or hear a storm.