- Have your teen taught how to dive by a swimming instructor through swimming lessons.
- Be sure what the depth of the pool is and where diving is/isn’t allowed is clearly marked on your pool. A posted sign is good, but marking directly on the sides of the pool is better.
- You can decrease the risk of diving injuries in your pool by not allowing special dives like flip or handstand dives. The leading cause of injuries, according to the study, was hitting the diving board or platform, which happens most often when teens try these types of dives.
- Talk to your teen about safe diving practices and about where he/she will be swimming. If your teen is swimming somewhere else, check it out by calling other parents or visiting the pool.
- Supervise groups of teens who come swimming at your pool. Less injuries occur when there is supervision and/or a lifeguard present while the teens are swimming.
- Athe beginning of each summer before your teen goes swimming, remind him/her the safety rules of diving. Go over with your teen how important it is not to dive in shallow or murky water and to take their time when setting up to dive.
Remember, as your child grows he/she will want to do more and more independently at the pool. Following these tips on diving safety will help you give him/her the independence he/she needs while staying safe. An all around win-win in my book.
