← Back to full guide | Tip: print it, tape it inside your kit lid, and re-check every season

Poolside Emergency & First-Aid Kit Checklist

In a water emergency, seconds count. Keep these four things within arm’s reach of the water so a scramble becomes a fast, calm response. Build the kit once, then check it off at the start of each swim season to re-stock.

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🛟 Rescue Equipment — Reach or Throw, Don't Go

  • Reaching pole / shepherd's crook long enough to extend across the water.
  • Throwable ring buoy or rescue tube on a line — throw and pull, don't jump in.
  • Stored where any adult can grab it in seconds — mounted and visible, never locked away.

🩹 First-Aid Supplies

  • Adhesive bandages (assorted), sterile gauze pads & adhesive tape.
  • Antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, instant cold pack.
  • Non-latex gloves + CPR barrier mask for safe rescue breathing.
  • Child-specific items your family needs + a small first-aid reference / CPR quick card.

📞 Emergency Information & Communication

  • Charged phone comes poolside with the Water Watcher every time.
  • Full street address posted where a panicked caller can read it aloud to 911.
  • 911 + Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) numbers posted.
  • Written emergency action plan — who calls, who starts CPR, who meets the ambulance.

☀️ Heat, Sun & Hydration

  • Broad-spectrum sunscreen + plenty of drinking water.
  • Wide-brim hats + shade (umbrella or pop-up canopy).
  • Towel + a change of clothes for a chilled child.

⚠️ Important Reminder

  • A kit is the response layer — it never replaces prevention. Every swimmer still needs constant, close supervision, four-sided fencing, life jackets for weak swimmers, and swim skills from lessons. Every caregiver around water should hold a current CPR & first-aid certification.

Our Kit — Fill This In

Our address (posted): ______________
Where the kit lives: ___________
Nearest cross-street for 911: ___________
CPR-certified adults: ___________
Season re-stock date: ___________

Created by WaterWiseKids.com — Free water safety education for families

Sources: American Red Cross, American Academy of Pediatrics, CDC, and CPSC Pool Safely

Back to the full guide · Emergency pool action plan · Drowning & CPR quick card

The Best Emergency Is the One That Never Happens

A ready kit matters, but prevention matters more — and swimming skills are a core layer of protection. Formal swim lessons reduce drowning risk by up to 88% for children ages 1–4. Find a survival-first program near you and build every layer.

Find Swim Lessons Near You

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