Web News & Drowning Alerts
Coronavirus Status
View your shopping cart Your cart is currently empty. Go to the shop
RSS
Home
Parents And Kids Parents And Kids Water Safety For Kids Parents On a Mission Safety Tips Blog Educational Videos Pool Safely Campaign Infographics Pool Maintenance Tips
Parents And Kids
Water Safety For Kids
Parents On a Mission
Safety Tips Blog
Educational Videos
Pool Safely Campaign
Infographics
Pool Maintenance Tips
Get Featured Writer Submission Guidelines Submit On-line Article & Photo Authorization Form Submit On line Short Swim Lessons Instructor (Q&A) Interview Form Submit On-line Water Sports Q&A Interview Form Product Reviews Meet Our Contributors
Writer Submission Guidelines
Submit On-line Article & Photo Authorization Form
Submit On line Short Swim Lessons Instructor (Q&A) Interview Form
Submit On-line Water Sports Q&A Interview Form
Product Reviews
Meet Our Contributors
Resources COVID-19 Resources Drowning Data/Reports Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act TITLE XIV–POOL AND SPA SAFETY Layers of Protection Around Aquatic Environments to Prevent Child Drowning The Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act (LCSA) Water Rescues Recreational Activities Educational Videos
COVID-19 Resources
Drowning Data/Reports
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act
TITLE XIV–POOL AND SPA SAFETY
Layers of Protection Around Aquatic Environments to Prevent Child Drowning
The Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act (LCSA)
Water Rescues
Recreational Activities
Water Sports Kitesurfing Windsurfing
Kitesurfing
Windsurfing
Shop Cart Checkout
Cart
Checkout
About Us
Contact Us
Search for
Sidebar
by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Print version (PDF)
Summer is a wonderful time for outdoor activities with family and friends. For many people, a day at the beach, on the boat, or at a backyard barbecue will include drinking alcoholic beverages. But excessive drinking and summer activities don’t mix. Drinking impairs both physical and mental abilities and it also decreases inhibitions—which can lead to tragic consequences on the water, on the road, and in the great outdoors. In fact, research shows that half of all water recreation deaths of teens and adults involve the use of alcohol.
Alcohol impairs judgment and increases risk-taking, a dangerous combination for swimmers. Even experienced swimmers may venture out farther than they should and not be able to make it back to shore, or they may not notice how chilled they’re getting and develop hypothermia. Surfers could become over-confident and try to ride a wave beyond their abilities. Even around a pool, too much alcohol can have deadly consequences. Inebriated divers may collide with the diving board, or dive where the water is too shallow.
According to research funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, alcohol may be involved in 60 percent of boating fatalities, including falling overboard. And a boat operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0.1 percent is 16 times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than an operator with zero BAC. According to the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. And if problems arise, intoxicated boaters are ill equipped to find solutions. For passengers, intoxication can lead to slips on deck, falls overboard, or accidents at the dock.
The summer holidays are some of the most dangerous times of the year to be on the road. When on vacation, drivers may be traveling an unfamiliar route or hauling a boat or camper, with the distraction of pets and children in the car. Adding alcohol to the mix puts the lives of the driver and everyone in the car, as well as other people on the road, at risk.
Myth: If you drink just beer or wine, you’ll be fine.
Fact : It doesn’t matter what type of alcohol you chose to consume—a drink is a drink. Your blood alcohol content (also known as BAC, the percentage of alcohol in your blood) is what determines how drunk you are.
Myth: Drink coffee. Caffeine will sober you up.
Fact: Caffeine may help with drowsiness, but not with the effects of alcohol on decision-making or coordination. The body needs time to metabolize (break down) alcohol and then to return to normal. There are no quick ways to sober up—only time will help.
Whether you’re on the road or in the great outdoors, heat plus alcohol can equal trouble. Hot summer days cause fluid loss through perspiration, while alcohol causes fluid loss through increased urination. Together, they can quickly lead to dehydration or heat stroke.
But this doesn’t have to happen. At parties, make at least every other drink a nonalcoholic one. If you’re the host, be sure to provide plenty of cold, refreshing nonalcoholic drinks to keep your guests well hydrated. If you know you’ll be driving, stay away from alcohol. And remember, there’s no shame in taking a cab or sleeping on a friend’s couch if you feel at all unsure if you should be driving.
You can have fun in the sun and still be safe. Avoiding beverages that cause mental and physical impairment while piloting a boat, driving a car, exploring the wilderness, and swimming or surfing is a good place to start. Be smart this summer—think before you drink, and make sure that you and your loved ones will be around to enjoy many summers to come.
For more information on preventing problems with alcohol this summer, and tips on cutting back, visit http://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov . Reprinted from National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism NIH Publication No. 12-7798 May 2012
Tomas Leclerc is the owner of the consulting firm Aquatic Safety International, LLC. He is an educator, mentor, manager, and water safety advocate. Mr. Leclerc is passionate about teaching individuals how to be safe in & around the water, & contributing to prevent drownings. He is an experienced, motivated, driven, visionary, goal oriented, & dedicated aquatic safety educator & a risk assessment professional with thousands of hours invested at many aquatic facilities working for America’s leading insurance companies helping facilities be safer.
Mr. Leclerc is a published author, & researcher, with several publications in the area of aquatics, & was privileged to served for 4 years as an editorial review advisory board member with the International Journal of Aquatic Research & Education. He has conducted research in lifeguard training programs, water safety & have presented at several national conferences.
Specialties: Managing, Drowning Prevention, Water Safety Training, Staff Training, Aquatic Health, Safety, & Risk Management Assessments, Education Technology, Blended Learning, Marketing, Web Design, Swimming, Triathlons, Water Polo.
Safety Tips Swimming Pool Safety for Young Guests in Your Home January 25, 2011
Corona Virus COVID-19 Updates
Mug Water Safety Tip - Wear A Life Jacket $ 14.00 – $ 16.00
Mug Water Safety Tips- Never Leave a Child Unattended $ 14.00 – $ 16.00
Grog’s Index of Boating Knots
Pool Safety With Your Dog
Popular
Recent
Comments
Chlorine, by any other name, is NOT the same December 14, 2013
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning February 3, 2011
Common Swimming Pool Questions and Answers November 13, 2010
Pool Maintenance: How to Clean Your Swimming Pool November 14, 2010
Using PFD’s: Helpful or Hurtful When Learning How To Swim? June 25, 2013
Pool Safety With Your Dog June 5, 2020
Calcium Hypochlorite May 28, 2020
Facts about Kids and Dangers of Drowning May 25, 2020
Stay Healthy When Going to the Pool May 15, 2020
Kitesurfer Giada Borghi May 14, 2020
Meet parents advocating for water safety and drowning prevention.
This is very good information! To be safe takes knowledge, direction , information, training and so much more! Safety is a way of living! Knowing how to swim is just the beginning of been safe around water. It is so good to have a magazine that encompasses different aspects and point of views! ~ Frances Cabrera
Water Safety Magazine focuses on drowning prevention, and being safe in and around water. The mission is to educate, inform, have fun, and save lives.
About the Magazine Drowning Reports PoolSafely Campaign Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
June 5, 2020 Pool Safety With Your Dog
May 25, 2020 Facts about Kids and Dangers of Drowning
May 15, 2020 Stay Healthy When Going to the Pool
Copyright © 2019 Aquatic Safety International, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | Water Safety Magazine. ™
Contact US | Sitemap | Advertising | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Download tips for safety around the pool and information on the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act
PDF (English)
PDF (Español)
'Just Add Water' by Jenelle Lockard , You & Your Pool Chlorine, by any other name, is NOT the same Chlorine, by any other name, is NOT the same By Jenelle Lockar...
Chlorine, by any other name, is NOT the same By Jenelle Lockar...
Pool Maintenance , You & Your Pool Common Swimming Pool Questions and Answers Common Swimming Pool Questions and Answers by Rachaelle Lynn Online Mar...
Common Swimming Pool Questions and Answers by Rachaelle Lynn Online Mar...
Latest News , Pool Maintenance , You & Your Pool Coronavirus (COVID-19) is it safe to go swimming? Coronavirus (COVID-19) is it safe to go swimming? f course it...
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is it safe to go swimming? f course it...
You & Your Pool Pool Maintenance: How to Clean Your Swimming Pool Pool Maintenance: How to Clean Your Swimming Pool by Rachaelle Lynn Onlin...
Pool Maintenance: How to Clean Your Swimming Pool by Rachaelle Lynn Onlin...
Pool Maintenance , You & Your Pool Types of Chlorine Sanitizers for Swimming Pools Different Types of Chlorine Sanitizers for Swimming Pools ...
Different Types of Chlorine Sanitizers for Swimming Pools ...
You & Your Pool Eco-Friendly Pool Heaters Eco-Friendly Pool Heaters by Rachaelle Lynn Maintaining an environmen...
Eco-Friendly Pool Heaters by Rachaelle Lynn Maintaining an environmen...