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</ iframe > </noscript> <!-- End Google Tag Manager (noscript) --><div id="header"> <div id="CClogo"><a href="https://www.cookchildrens.org"><span class="srText">Cook Children's</span></a></div> <div id="CCsearch"> <form id="searchform" name="searchform" method="GET" onsubmit="return (this.q.value == '') ? false : true;" action="/CookChildrens/en/parents/"> <input type="hidden" name="search" value="y"/> <input type="hidden" name="getfields" value="description"/> <input type="search" class="search" name="q" id="q" maxlength="256" autocomplete="off" autocorrect="off" placeholder="Search"/> <input type="hidden" name="datasource" value="cookchildrens"> <input type="hidden" name="start" value="0"> <input type="hidden" name="rows" value="10"> <input type="hidden" name="lang" value="english"> <input type="hidden" name="section" value="parents_teens_kids"> <input type="submit" value="" id="searchButton" class="buttonImage"/> </form> </div> </div> <!-- If we have main navigation separated then it will reside here --> <div id="thelou" tabindex="-1"> </div> <div id="mainContentContainer" class="kh-article-page"> <div id="rsSearchBrowse"> <div id="rsBrowse" role="navigation"> </div> <div id="rsSearch"> <div id="rsSectionLabel">teens</div> </div> </div> <div id="khContentHeading" class="ar licH"> <h1>Safety Tips: Swimming</h1> </div> <div class="clearBox"> </div> <div id="khcontent"> <div id="xp1"> </div><br clear="all" style="width: 0; height: 0; line-height: 0; font-size: 0;"><div id="khcontent_article" lang="en-us"> <div id="NavigatePage1"> <div id="whichRead_1"><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!-- The following article is brought to you by CookChildrens. --></span><div class="rs_skip rs_skip_en rsbtn_kidshealth rs_preserve" id="readspeaker_button1"><script> var theRSURL = (escape(document.location.href)); var rsAudioTitle = document.title.replace(/ |\'|\?/g,"_"); var whichReadPage = 1; var doesItGotFlash = ''; makeTheRSLinkEN(); var readSpeakerDownloadLink = "//app-na.readspeaker.com/cgi-bin/rsent?customerid=5202&lang=en_us&voice=Kate&speed=100&readid=khcontent_article&url="+theRSURL+"&audiofilename=KidsHealth_"+rsAudioTitle+""; </script></div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="languagePairLink" class="rs_skip"><a href="/CookChildrens/es/teens/safety-swimming.html?WT.ac=pairedLink"><span class="pairedURLHead" lang="es">en español<img src="/images/n00/icons/langPairArrow.svg" alt=""></span><span class="pairedURLBody" lang="es">Consejos de seguridad: la natación</span></a></div> <!--googleon:all--><div class="rte-image"><!--<sly data-sly-test.buttonBorder="khb-noborder"></sly> --><p>Swimming is a fun and generally safe sport. Follow these tips for an injury-free season.</p><h3>Swim Gear</h3><p>Here's some basic swimming gear to think about:</p><ul class="kh_longline_list"><li><strong>Goggles.</strong> Swimming with leaky, uncomfortable, or foggy goggles can be tough on your eyes. Be sure to get a pair of competition or practice goggles that are comfortable and fit your face. Some swimmers like to have different goggles for practices and competitions.</li><li><strong>Swimsuits.</strong> Choose a swimsuit based on what's most important to you. If you want something that will help you go faster, research brand names and see if they can back up the claims they make. If you want a suit for practice, choose something made with quality materials that will last.</li><li><strong>Swim caps.</strong> Most swim caps are made from latex or silicone. As with swimsuits, choose a cap based on your needs. In general, latex caps are thinner and less expensive, and silicone caps are usually thicker, last longer, and cost more. If you'll be spending a lot of time in a warm pool, a silicone cap might keep your head too warm.</li><li><strong>Ear plugs and nose clips.</strong> Some swimmers like to use these to help keep water out of their ears and noses. Ear plugs should be specifically designed for use in the water. (Noise-canceling earplugs won't make a watertight seal.) Nose clips should fit comfortably and stay in place as you swim.</li></ul><h3>Safe Swimming</h3><p>To prevent injuries during practice and meets, swimmers should:</p><ul class="kh_longline_list"><li>Get a <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sports-physicals.html">sports physical</a> before starting any new sport.</li><li>Always warm up and <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/stretching.html">stretch</a> before swimming.</li><li>Take time off from training if they feel shoulder, neck, or other pain. They can try a different stroke or do something else out of the pool to stay in shape. Swimmers can go back to their regular stroke after the pain is gone.</li><li>Wear water-resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or greater for outdoor practices and meets. </li><li>Check that the pool is deep enough before diving. </li><li>Know the plan for emergencies.</li></ul><p>To help prevent overuse injuries (also called <a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/repetitive-stress-sports.html">repetitive stress injuries</a>, or RSIs), swimmers should:</p><ul class="kh_longline_list"><li>Build up extra swimming time or distances slowly.</li><li>Learn and use proper techniques.</li><li>Do other sports that strengthen different muscles, especially core (abdomen) muscles.</li></ul></div> <div id="reviewerBox"> <div id="reviewedBy">Reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD</div> <div id="reviewedDate">Date reviewed: April 2019</div> </div><span class="ISI_MESSAGE"><!--Thank you for listening to this KidsHealth audio cast. The information you heard, is for educational purposes only. If you need medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment, consult your doctor. This audio cast is Copyrighted by KidsHealth. All rights are reserved.--></span></div> </div> </div> </div> <!--googleoff:all--> <div id="relatedBoxParents" class="t1 "> <div id="navTabs"> <ul id="navTabsPKT" role="tablist" aria-labelledby="moreOnThisTopicHeader"> <li role="presentation" class="current" id="PKTtabTeens"><button class="PKTJSTButton" role="tab" id="teens_tab" aria-controls="relatedArticlesListTeens" aria-selected="true" tabindex="0"><span>for Teens</span></button></li> </ul> </div> <div id="mainBar"> </div> <div id="mrLinks"> <h2 id="moreOnThisTopicHeader">MORE ON THIS TOPIC</h2> <ul id="relatedArticlesListTeens" role="tabpanel" aria-labelledby="teens_tab"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sports-physicals.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Sports Physicals</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/dehydration.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Dehydration</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sports-injuries.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Dealing With Sports Injuries</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sport-safety.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Sports and Exercise Safety</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/eatnrun.html?WT.ac=t-ra">A Guide to Eating for Sports</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sportsmanship.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Sportsmanship</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/center/summer-center.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Summer Safety Center</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/goals-tips.html?WT.ac=t-ra">5 Facts About Goal Setting</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/tips-sports.html?WT.ac=t-ra">5 Ways to Prepare for Your Sports Season</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/sports-supplements.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Sports Supplements</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/center/sports-center.html?WT.ac=t-ra">Sports Medicine</a></li> </ul> </div> <div id="boxBreaker"> </div> <div id="zeroTester"> </div> <div id="relatedButtonsHolder"> <div id="relatedButtonsBoth"> <ul> <li id="relatedPrinterButton"><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/safety-swimming.html?view=ptr&WT.ac=t-ptr" rel="nofollow" onclick="printWindow(this.href); return false;" title="This link will open in a new window.">Print<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> <li id="relatedEmailFriendButton"><a rel="nofollow" href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/safety-swimming.html?view=emailto&WT.ac=s2af-en-teens-safety-swimming.html" target="_blank" title="This link will open in a new window.">Send to a Friend<span class="newWindowIcon_leftSpace"> </span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div><br clear="all"></div><br clear="all"><script>window.onload=setVars('');PKTChoose(0,0,11,0);</script><div id="kh_lic_footer"> <nav aria-label="Content info"> <ul id="kh_lic_footer_links"> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/editorial-policy-licensee.html">Editorial Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/policy-licensees.html">Privacy Policy & Terms of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/CookChildrens/en/teens/copyright.html">Copyright</a></li> </ul> </nav> <div id="kh_lic_footer_legalease"> <p><img lang="en" alt="A TeensHealth Education Partner" src="/images/n00/logos/THeduPartner3.svg"> Note: All information is for educational purposes only. 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