A few safety precautions can make the world of difference. The entire Shipwreck Cove family wants you to have a blast, be safe, and help ensure the safety of others. Here are a few simple, important safety tips for you to remember:
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control DHEC regulates all public pools in the state of South Carolina. Below are their requirements which are posted and enforced at Shipwreck Cove:
When you're swimming, it's easily to get distracted, pulled under water or choked from water intake. To avoid increasing risk, never eat, drink (any beverages) or chew gum while in the water or diving into water; this will also prevent choking.
Proper protection from the sun is an essential for everyone. Dangerous skin ailments and irritations can be easily prevented by an ounce of prevention, or more. Make sure to apply sunscreen to yourself and your kids before and after their time in the water, on all exposed skin to ensure maximum skin protection. Protective clothing such as hats, visors and shirts are also great ways to prevent overexposure, or purchase them at Shipwreck Cove.Apply sunscreen early and often. Ultraviolet radiation (also known as UV rays) is the strongest in the summer. A generous full-coverage of waterproof sunscreen, a minimum of 30 minutes before going outside, is a great guideline. (SPF 15 or higher is highly recommended). Areas people usually miss: Feet, bathing suit lines (suits slide around and expose skin).
Fun in the sun can turn into a nightmare…so be aware. A day in the sun is one of the most exciting memories for many of us! At Shipwreck Cove, we want your memories to be great ones for years to come! So, here's a few simple but powerful ways to avoid the dangers of dehydration, sunburn and preventable skin irritations and/or long term problems. Most of the time, a few common-sense tips can make your day one to remember…for fun reasons.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration when it's hot outside or you've been in the sun for a long time. Bottled water is a great choice.
Bathing with cool (not cold) water or apply a cool washcloth to sunburned areas is recommended. Applying pure aloe vera gel and/or lotion, taking pain relievers (Tylenol, aspirin, and spray over-the-counter pain relievers) all are helpful. Don't give aspirin to children or teens, of course, without consulting your family physician first. Consider staying away from petroleum-based products (Vaseline or benzocaine), because they may dry out or irritate skin. Be sure to stay inside until the sunburn heals completely.
Avoid all alcohol of any kind before, during and after swimming. Avoiding alcoholic beverages before or during swimming and other water activities is critical to making sound judgment, especially in crisis. Never drink alcohol while supervising children around water. After spending the day in the water, remember that you're more apt to be tired, dehydrated and prone to accident…so drinking after, especially if driving, should be avoided.
Kids are priority! If your children are swimming or playing, or you are swimming around children, make sure you have an adult supervising them at all times and remember that distracting activities, especially to kids, can be…well, distracting! Safety first…especially while supervising children around water.
Learning how to swim is easy…and fun! For adults and children alike, learning basic swimming technique and prevention skills can make swimming part of your family's recreation and lifestyle for the rest of your life! Studies show that swimming ranks as one of the leading aerobic exercises that is both less stressful on joints and spine than other activities, while providing some of the best cardiovascular activity you can find! Whether it's your local fitness club or other community facility, consider learning today! Call us for details on opportunities near you.
Pay attention! Local weather conditions and forecasts are often accurate ways to plan your day. Sunscreen, umbrellas and other items can be easily packed based on forecast. If you're already at Shipwreck Cove and inclement weather looks like it's on the way, stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather. Swim in supervised places, and never alone. Teaching your children to always swim with a buddy is a great habit to ensure safety…and it's more fun too.
"Water Wings" - Buyer beware! While using air-filled swimming aids (such as "water wings") help children learn to swim and help them float at times, do NOT count on them in place of life-saving gear recommended by most water safety experts. Life jackets or life preservers for children are always your best bet! Some swimming aids give parents and children a false sense of security about preventing or limiting the risk of drowning. These are toys and are not designed to be personal-flotation devices. Many are easily punctured and/or deflate by being unplugged inadvertently.
Lifeguards are your friends! Before you swim at Shipwreck Cove or any swimming facility, look for lifeguards and other supervisory personnel. They're there to help you, in case you're injured. It's always a great idea to take inventory first, before you start swimming, of personnel available to help.
Read all posted signs, especially age & height instructions. Restrictions apply to some rides, so pay attention to all signs. Follow the lifeguards' rules and regulations, and don't be embarrassed or hesitant to ask questions if you're not sure about a correct procedure.
Mermaid tails or any swimming device that binds the feet or legs is not allowed at Shipwreck Cove for the general public. These devices can quickly fatigue swimmers and greatly reduce swimming ability.
A great precaution for you, and others. Shipwreck Cove has changing areas; ask someone if you can't find them, we've provided safe and sanitized changing spots.
Be cautious of your neck, back, and more… If you suffer from certain neck or back problems, heart condition, prevalence toward motion sickness or pregnancy, or other medical conditions, avoid high-speed or rapid-descent rides, and alert Cove officials of any concerns wherever possible.
There are many exciting things going on at Shipwreck Cove and we want to make sure that you and your family to have a memorable experience! We know that, as a parent, there are some important things that you expect from us. So, let's take a minute to point out some of those…
You want your kids to have fun AND be safe. We do too! We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for your family. Our staff is dedicated to the safety of your children; we employ over 20 lifeguards and grounds personnel who make it a priority to watch over you and keep you safe.
No worries - your security is most important! We've partnered with the Duncan Police Department to provide around-the-clock protection for Shipwreck Cove. We are fully equipped to handle any situation should it arise.
We pride ourselves on maintaining our grounds and equipment to ensure you have the same unforgettable experience each time you visit. Our goal is to provide a fun and healthy environment for you and your family.