Photos: More than 50 Kids Get Water Safety Primer at April Pools Day

More than 50 children, ages 7 to 12, attended April Pools Day last Saturday, April 6 at the Sumner Bonney Lake Aquatics Center pool. The free family water safety event included two hours of water safety instruction as well as activities and prizes, and followed by an open swim with firefighters and police officers from East Pierce Fire and Rescue and the Bonney Lake Police Department.

The children were also reminded of the safety concerns with rivers and lakes in this area. “It’s important to remember that even when the weather is warm, glacier-fed water in our lakes and rivers can be very, very cold. Just a few minutes in cold water can cause cold water incapacitation, making it very difficult to swim or even to keep afloat,” says East Pierce Firefighter and Water Rescue Team Leader Jay Smith. ”Just under the surface, the temperature can be 55 degrees or colder. That kind of cold water, even on the hottest summer day, can significantly lower the body’s core temperature. If that happens, the body becomes incapable of functioning properly, affecting the ability to swim.”

Cold water incapacitation has been responsible for a number of deaths on Lake Tapps over the years. Last summer was particularly devastating. Four people drowned at Lake Tapps. “We are hoping to improve water safety awareness with events such as this,” Smith says. “We want everyone to have a fun-filled and safe summer on the water.”