pe

Prehistoric

6,000–9,000 Years Ago

The earliest visual records are found in Egypt’s famous“Cave of Swimmers” rock paintings.

Babylonians and assyrians

4,000 BC

Depicted early forms of the breaststroke in wall art.

Ancient egypt

2000 BC

Tomb carvings depict variations of the front crawl.

Ancient Rome and greece

Swimming was heavily integrated into military training.

Colymbetes

the world’s first complete book on swimming, aiming tor educe drowning in 1538. By Nikolaus wynmann

De Arte Natandi

Everard Digby illustrated early techniques for breaststroke, backstroke, andcrawl.

Nikolaus wynmann

He wrote colymbetes

Everard digby

He wrote De Arte Natandi

Emperor Go Yozei

He declared swimming a mandatory school subject,giving rise to swimming schools and coastal defense tactics.

1828

Year of opening the first public indoor pool

St George's bath in london

The first public indoor pool

1837

The National Swimming Society organized Britain’s first official swimming competitions.

1844 london exhibition

Native American swimmers easily beat British gentlemen using an early frontcrawl. The British initially rejected it as “barbaric and un-European” because it splashed too much water.

Trudgen and Australian crawl

Western swimmers eventually adopted hand-over-hand strokes,evolving into modern Freestyle.

1896 athens

Swimming debuted at the first modern Olympic Games in men’s events only, and was heldin open water.

The federation internationale de natation

FINA

established in London to standardizerules and world records (renamed World Aquatics in 2023).

1908

FINA was founded

PREVENTS DROWNING

WATER SAFETY AWARENESS

LIFESAVING ABILITIES

IMPORTANCE OF SWIMMING: LIFE SAVING & SAFETY SKILLS

FULL-BODY WORKOUT

LOW-IMPACT EXERCISE

CARDIOVASCULAR & LUNG HEALTH

IMPORTANCE OF SWIMMING: PHYSICAL HEALTH & FITNESS BENEFITS

STRESS & ANXIETY RELIEF

ENHANCE BRAIN FUNCTION

IMPROVES SLEEP

IMPORTANCE OF SWIMMING: MENTAL HEALTH & COGNITIVE WELL-BEING

ACCESSIBLE ACROSS ALL AGES

RECREATIONAL & SOCIAL GROWTH

REHABILITATION & THERAPY

IMPORTANCE OF SWIMMING: SOCIAL, INCLUSIVE & LIFELONG VALUE

Swimming

one of the most intense sports because it engages nearly every muscle in the body —including the core and back. Arms power strokes, while legs drive propulsion through the water,delivering a comprehensive physical workout.

Improves flexibility and strength

Full range of motion in water builds muscle and mobility.

Builds endurance

Sustained effort over time boosts stamina.

Strengthens your heart

Aerobic exercise supports cardiovascular health.

Improves circulation

Promotes healthy blood flow throughout the body.

Tones and rehabilitates muscles

Shapes muscle groups while being gentle enough for recovery.

Builds bone mass

Water-based resistance supports bone strength.

Lowers stress and improves mood

Physical activity and water environment reduce anxiety.

Takes stress off your joints

Buoyancy supports body weight, making it low-impact and safe forsensitive joints.

Builds cardiovascular fitness

Regular swimming strengthens heart and lung function.

Swim in a Designated Swimming Area

BASIC POOL RULES / WATER SAFETY

• Always swim only in areas that are specifically marked for swimming.

• Follow signs, flags, ropes, or other markers that show the safe swimming boundaries.

• Do not swim beyond the designated area because the water may have strong currents, boats, or otherdangers.

• If possible, swim in an area where a qualified lifeguard is present and always follow the rules andinstructions given by lifeguards or safety personnel.

When in Doubt, Get Out

BASIC POOL RULES / WATER SAFETY

• If you feel that something is wrong, get out of the water immediately.

• Leave the water if the current becomes too strong or the weather suddenly changes.

• If you feel tired, weak, dizzy, or have muscle cramps, stop swimming and get to a safe place.

• Do not force yourself to continue swimming when your body is already tired. It is better to leave thewater and return another time when conditions are safer.

Choose The Right Equipment

BASIC POOL RULES / WATER SAFETY

• Use equipment that is appropriate for the activity and water conditions.

• Wear goggles when swimming if they help you see clearly underwater.

• Use a wetsuit when the water is cold and the activity requires it.

• Make sure safety equipment, such as flotation devices, is the correct type and size.

Do not swim when drunk

BASIC POOL RULES / WATER SAFETY

• These substances can affect a person’s judgement and movement.

• A person may not be able to react properly in case of emergency.

• It is safer to stay away from the water when using these substances

Wear an approved life vest

BASIC POOL RULES / WATER SAFETY

• Wear a properly fitted and approved life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) when required.

• Young children and weak swimmers especially need proper flotation support. Life jackets can also beimportant when boating or participating in other water activities.

• Put the life jacket on before entering or getting close to the water when it is required.

• Keep it on until you are safely back on dry land

Know what to do during an emergency

BASIC POOL RULES / WATER SAFETY

• Always think about what you will do if an emergency happens in the water.

• Tell a trusted person where you are going and when you expect to return.

• If possible, swim with a buddy instead of swimming alone.

• Know where the lifeguards, emergency equipment, and exits are located.• If someone is in trouble, remember the word: “Reach and throw, don’t go.”

Drowning

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Drowning is one of the most serious swimming hazards.

It can happen quickly and may not involve loud splashing or calling for help.

Children should always be closely and actively supervised.

Know where the pool’s rescue equipment is located.

Poor lighting

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Poor lighting makes it difficult to see swimmers and hazards around the pool.

Wet areas, steps, and obstacles may become difficult to notice.

Inadequate lighting can increase the risk of falls and accidents.

Drain Entrapment

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Pool and spa drains can create strong suction.

Hair, clothing, or body parts can become trapped.

Entrapment can lead to serious injury or drowning.

Inadequate Fencing and Uncovered Pools

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Unsecured pools can allow children or other people to enter without supervision.

Pool fencing provides an important barrier between people and the water.

Pool covers can provide an additional safety measure when the pool is not being used.

Lack of Supervision

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Safety equipment cannot replace active supervision.

A person who is drowning may not make loud noises or attract attention.

Supervisors should keep swimmers within direct sight.

Bacterial Infections

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Contaminated recreational water can contain harmful germs.

These can cause gastrointestinal or skin infections.

Examples include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, norovirus, and E. Coli.

Swimmer’s Ear

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

An infection of the outer ear canal.

Water trapped in the ear can allow bacteria to grow.

Symptoms include itching, redness, and ear pain.

Inadequate Depth Markers and Unsafe Diving

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Misjudging pool depth can cause serious injuries

Diving into shallow water is particularly dangerous.

Faded or missing depth markers increase the risk.

Chemical Hazards

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Improper pool chemicals can irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

Incorrect chemical levels can make swimming unsafe.

Chemicals must be properly stored and handled.

Poor Water Clarity

COMMON SWIMMING HAZARDS

Cloudy or murky water can make it difficult to see swimmers.

It can make it harder to identify problems or objects underwater.

Poor water quality may indicate inadequate pool maintenance.

Drowning

may appear differently, depending on the person’s swimming ability (Ifthey’re a Non-swimmer, Weak swimmer, Injured swimmer, or Unconscious swimmer).

20 - 60 sec

Seconds of struggle in drowning

Non-swimmer

-Upright or vertical in the water

-Moving their arms as if they are “climbing a ladder”

-Using little or no effective leg movement

-Going under the water repeatedly

-Unable to move toward safety

-Trying to grab onto another person or object

Weak swimmer

-Angled in the water, rather than upright

-Tilting their head back to keep their mouth clear

-Looking towards shore, safety or other people

-Using their arms and legs but making little progress

-Trying to hold onto something that floats

Injured swimmer

-Holding an injured body part

-Calling for help

-Floating or moving awkwardly

-Struggling to use one arm or leg

-Able to hold a flotation aid if one is provided

Unconscious swimmer

- Not moving

-Not responding

-Floating at the surface or below it

-Near bubbles, disturbed water or the last place they were seen

Alert the lifeguards

primary lifeguard enters the water using a reaching assist, throwing assist, oractive rescue.

Reach throw don't go

If the Lifeguard isn’t present or can’t arrive on time, perform

Reach

Lay in your stomach and try to reach for the person, if your hand can’t reach them find a longpole and sweep it toward them to grab.

Throw

If the person is way too far, throw a LIFE BUOY, POOL NOODLE, or ANYTHING THAT CANFLOAT to help prevent them from sinking.

Don't go

Unless you’re a trained professional, Don’t attempt to rescue, call emergency hotline 143(PHILIPPINE RED CROSS).

Check breathing

Call 143

Compressions

Rescue breathes

Keep going

HOW TO TREAT A NEAR DROWNING