Learn important water safety skills with first responders

East Pierce Fire and Rescue, Bonney Lake Police and Sumner Bonney Lake Aquatics are teaming up to sponsor April Pools Day, a free family water safety event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at the Sumner/Bonney Lake Aquatics Center pool, behind Sumner High School, at 1707 Main Street.

The first two hours will include water safety instruction, activities and prizes followed by an open swim with the firefighters and police officers. Activities will be geared toward children ages 7-12. An adult must accompany children age six and younger.

“The event is designed to help teach open water safety in a safe and controlled environment through fun activities and games,” says East Pierce Fire and Rescue Public Education Specialist Dina Sutherland. “The will children rotate through several stations, learning different safety skills.”
In one station, children will learn how to help a person, who is in trouble in the water, by either reaching for them or throwing something to them that floats. “This is a much safer way of helping a person in trouble rather than jumping into the water and becoming a victim yourself,” Sutherland says.

In another demonstration, a number of life jackets are dumped into the pool, turned inside out with straps tangled. The kids pretend they have been in a boat that has capsized and must retrieve a lifejacket and secure the straps while in the water.

The children will also discuss a significant aspect about the rivers and lakes in this area. “It’s important to remember that even when the weather is warm, glacier-fed water in our lakes and rivers can be very, very cold. Just a few minutes in cold water can cause cold water incapacitation, making it very difficult to swim or even to keep afloat,” says East Pierce Firefighter and Water Rescue Team Leader Jay Smith. ”Just under the surface, the temperature can be 55 degrees or colder. That kind of cold water, even on the hottest summer day, can significantly lower the body’s core temperature. If that happens, the body becomes incapable of functioning properly, affecting the ability to swim.”

Cold water incapacitation has been responsible for a number of deaths on Lake Tapps over the years. Last summer was particularly devastating. Four people drowned at Lake Tapps. “We are hoping to improve water safety awareness with events such as this,” Smith says. “We want everyone to have a fun-filled and safe summer on the water.”