(KTNC) - Many families will be spending more time around water, either swimming in pools or lakes, boating, or heading to a beach, this summer. Kara Kelly, at the American Red Cross, says it's a wise idea to first take a course from the agency in swimming or basic water safety.
Kelly says there are five basic skills people should know before they head into any body of water, whether or not there is a lifeguard present. Those skills include how to float, tread water, and being able to go underwater and come back up. The list of basic skills also includes getting out of the water without a ladder and being able to swim 25 yards.
Kelly says men are significantly more likely than women to know all five basic swimming skills, while about one-third of blacks report they can perform all five skills compared to more than half of whites.
Kelly notes only 40-percent of parents say their kids know basic swimming skills, yet 90-percent say those same kids will be taking part in water-based activities this summer.
You can learn some of the basics using a smartphone. Kelly says the Red Cross Swim App has information on some basic swimming strokes and can be downloaded free of charge from Google Play and the Apple Store.
This summer marks 100 years the Red Cross has offered swimming courses.
© MSC News
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Walnut Township recall coming; Friday mtg erupts in arrest
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Severe storms move through NE KS
Rural Horton man charged in alleged beating
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Richardson County Deputies busy during special enforcement
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
NVCH receives $415,000 grant for expansion project
KS replacement plates see long wait times
Atchison's BC names Educator of the Year
LATEST STORIES
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Trail rides ending at Indian Cave State Park
Atchison's BC names Educator of the Year
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Road, railway repairs, underway in Atchison this week
KS replacement plates see long wait times
RELATED STORIES
USDA Boss Blasts Railroads for Rail Car Shortage
More Storms Possible this Weekend
Morel Mushroom Season Underway in Nebraska
Nebraska Among States Considering Legalizing Industrial Hemp
Fewer Cancer Specialists Practicing in Rural Areas
Ex-Worker in Beatrice Abuse Case Gets Prison Time
Study Shows Drop in Nebraska Groundwater Levels
Company Plans to Open Biodiesel Plant in SE Nebraska
Midwest Faces Propane Shortage
Governor Heineman Calls for Tax Cuts in State of the State Speech