East Pierce Fire and Rescue, Bonney Lake Police Department and Sumner Bonney Lake Aquatics are teaming up to sponsor April Pools Day, a free family water safety event from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the Sumner/Bonney Lake Aquatics Center pool, behind Sumner High School, at 1707 Main Street.
The first two hours will include water safety instruction, activities and prizes followed by an open swim with the firefighters and police officers. Activities will be geared toward children ages 7 to 12 years old. An adult must accompany children under 6.
“The event is designed to help teach open water safety in a safe and controlled environment through fun activities and games,” East Pierce Fire and Rescue Public Education Specialist Dina Sutherland said. “The will children rotate through several stations, learning different safety skills.”
In one station, children will learn how to help a person struggling in the water by either reaching for them or throwing something to them that floats.
“This is a much safer way of helping a person in trouble rather than jumping into the water and becoming a victim yourself,” Sutherland said.
In another demonstration, a number of life jackets are dumped into the pool, turned inside out with straps tangled. The kids pretend they have been in a boat that has capsized and must retrieve a lifejacket and secure the straps while in the water.
The children will also discuss a significant aspect about the 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,” said 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 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. Two years ago, four people drowned in Lake Tapps.
“Through water safety efforts, such as this, we are hoping to improve water safety awareness,” Smith said.
Last year, no one drowned in the lake.
Space is limited to the first 150 swimmers, so plan to arrive early. For more information, call the fire department at 253-863-1800 during regular business hours.
