Survival Swimming: Six tips from the experts

12:10 AM, Jul 12, 2012   |    comments
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
  • - A A A +
Swim instructors at the Wolverine Worldwide Family YMCA say above all, remember to stay calm.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM)-- With the recent hot weather, more people are drowning in West Michigan.

But 13 is On Your Side to make sure you don't become a statistic.  Two swim instructors from the Wolverine Worldwide Family YMCA met up with us at the pool to share these six tips to help save your life:

#1: Wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket.

#2: Make sure you swim with a buddy.

#3: If you become tired, roll onto your back, hold your face out of the water and continue swimming using a resting stroke, like the elementary back stroke.

#4: Above all, stay calm.

#5: If you find yourself in cold water, move into the "help position".  Curl up in a ball and lay on your back to help conserve warmth and energy.

#6: If you do not have a life jacket on, you can use a survival or resting float, where your legs and arms hang down in the water.