• Maintain good health and hygiene before swimming.

• Shower before entering the pool.

• Use the buddy system!

• Always swim with a friend.

•Learn how to swim!

• Enroll in classes or have a friend or family member teach

you.

Swimming Pool Safety TipsSwimming Pool Safety Tips

• Only swim in designated areas.

• Don’t dive off the shallow end.

• Obey NO DIVING signs.

• Obey the pool rules.

• DO NOT drink the pool water.

• DO NOT run around the pool.

• No pushing.

• No dunking or rough play.

• Alcohol and water DO NOT mix.

• DO NOT chew gum or eat while swimming.

• Watch for changing weather conditions.

• Be Sun Smart

~ Use at least SPF 15+ Sunscreen

•Keep an eye on yourself – Watch for the TOOs

TOO tired

TOO far from shore/safetyTOO much sun

TOO cold

TOO much strenuous activity

• Swim where lifeguards are present.

•Learn how to swim!

• Enroll in classes or have a friend or family member teach

you.

• Use the Buddy System

• Always swim with a friend.

Beach Safety TipsBeach Safety Tips

Some things you might need at the beach:

• Bottles of water

• Sunscreen~ use at least SPF 15+

• Sunglasses

• Pail and Shovel~ To collect seashells

• Beach Bag

• Snacks

• Blanket or Chair

• Towel

• Cooler• Umbrella

• Don’t swim while drinking alcohol or using drugs.

• Watch for changing weather conditions.

• Be Sun smart.• Use at least SPF 15+ Sunscreen

• Waves come in many strengths and sizes.

• Be very careful and pay close attention to warning flags.

Panama City Beach Flag Warning System

• A GREEN flag means that the water is calm. •The undertow is slight to non-existent and it is safe to swim using the proper amount of caution!

• A YELLOW flag indicates the presence of light surf or currents and additional caution should be used while swimming in the Gulf.

• A RED flag indicates the presence of strong surf and currents. •Swimming in these conditions is not recommended as it presents a very high hazard to all swimmers.

• A DOUBLE REDDOUBLE RED flag, however, means that the water is closed to the public!

•No one is allowed in the water when a double red flag is posted!

• A PURPLE flag indicates the presence of marine pest in the water such as jellyfish, stingrays or dangerous fish.

Don’t swim towards the shore. Wait until you don’t feel the rip current pulling

you anymore!

Rip Currents• Rip currents are powerful currents of water moving away from shore.

• They can sweep even the strongest swimmer out to sea.

• If caught in a rip current, don’t fight it!

• You can’t see Rip Currents, but they’re there.

“Swim to the side to stay alive!”

Rip Currents• Swim to the side until you feel the current relax, then swim to shore.

• Most rip currents are narrow, and a short, swim to the side will bring you to safety.