{"id":41886,"date":"2024-07-02T15:22:47","date_gmt":"2024-07-02T19:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=41886"},"modified":"2024-07-02T15:57:38","modified_gmt":"2024-07-02T19:57:38","slug":"summer-waterway-users-should-follow-safe-swimming-practices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2024\/07\/02\/summer-waterway-users-should-follow-safe-swimming-practices\/","title":{"rendered":"Summer Waterway Users Should Follow Safe Swimming Practices"},"content":{"rendered":"

Swim near a lifeguard, stay sober on the water<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Visitors to public swimming areas should observe signage for when locations and conditions are dangerous, such as this red flag at Assateague State Park. Maryland Department of Natural Resources photo.<\/p><\/div>\n

As we reach the height of summer, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources reminds residents and visitors to swim near a lifeguard, wear a life jacket, and to always swim and boat sober.<\/span><\/p>\n

Drownings are more likely to occur when lifeguards are not present. In June, a man died while swimming in an unguarded section of Patapsco Valley State Park, in the park\u2019s McKeldin Area, the same location as a death that occurred in 2023. Visitors should always look for signage that informs whether an area is unguarded, is off limits to swimming, or if there are unsafe conditions for swimming.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ideally, people should always swim in a guarded area. The Maryland Park Service operates <\/span>guarded beaches<\/span><\/a> for most of the summer season at Assateague Island State Park, New Germany State Park, Deep Creek Lake State Park, Greenbrier State Park, Herrington Manor State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, and Sandy Point State Park. At Gunpowder Falls State Park, guards are available every day except Monday, and at Point Lookout State Park guards are available on the weekends. Dans Mountain State Park has a guarded pool. The pool at Pocomoke State Park is closed for the 2024 season due to renovations.<\/span><\/p>\n

These swimming spots are popular and can fill to capacity on holidays and weekends \u2013 visitors should call ahead or check Maryland Park Service social media for closure information and to make sure lifeguards are on duty that day. As with many seasonal operations, the parks have issues with staff shortages, especially late in the season when students return to school. DNR is recruiting lifeguards for this summer on the <\/span>Maryland state jobs website<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For parents and guardians of young children, it\u2019s important to remember that a lifeguard is not a babysitter \u2013 children should be watched at all times around the water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Open water poses <\/span>more hazards<\/span><\/a> than swimming in a pool \u2013 currents, sudden changes in depth, poor visibility underwater, and temperature changes. Jellyfish are also a hazard at some swimming beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay.<\/span><\/p>\n

Regardless of locations, some rules swimmers should always follow are:<\/span><\/p>\n