← Back to full guide | Tip: go through it together, then have your teen and a parent both sign the agreement at the bottom

Teen & Tween Water Safety Checklist

Older kids rarely drown because they can't swim — they drown from overconfidence, dares, and being unsupervised. These are the rules that keep a strong, independent swimmer safe.

WaterWiseKids.com — Free water safety education for families

🏊 Smart-Swimming Rules — Every Time

  • Never swim alone. Always have a buddy who is actually watching you — drowning is fast and silent, and a person in trouble usually can't call for help.
  • Swim where a lifeguard is on duty when you can — but remember a lifeguard watches the whole crowd and is a backup, not your personal supervisor.
  • Tell a trusted adult where you're going and when you'll be back — every single time.
  • Know your real limits. Feeling like a "good swimmer" in a familiar pool is not the same as handling deep, cold, or moving water. Build skills before you test them.
  • Enter feet-first in unfamiliar water — never dive headfirst into water of unknown depth.

🚫 The Things That Kill Strong Swimmers

  • No breath-holding games. Ever. "Who can stay under longest" and hyperventilating before a dive cause shallow water blackout — you pass out underwater with no struggle and no warning. It kills strong, healthy swimmers.
  • No alcohol, vaping, or other substances near the water. Alcohol is involved in up to 70% of teen and adult water-recreation deaths — it wrecks judgment, balance, and reaction time.
  • Don't take the dare. Jumping from heights, racing past the safe zone, or swimming to "prove it" is how a fun day turns deadly. Being the one who says "not worth it" is the strong move.
  • Floaties and inner tubes are toys, not safety. They are not life jackets and can flip or drift you into deep water.

🌊 Open Water & Emergencies

  • Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket in open water if you're a weak swimmer — and everyone wears one on a boat. It must fit by weight and pass the lift test.
  • Respect what you can't control: drop-offs, cold-water shock, waves, and currents. The lake and ocean are nothing like a pool.
  • Caught in a rip current? Don't fight it. Stay calm, float, and swim parallel to shore until you're free, then angle back in.
  • If someone's in trouble: reach or throw, don't go. Hand them something that floats — don't jump in. Call 911 or get the lifeguard.
  • Learn CPR — it's a skill that saves lives long after the pool closes.

Our Water Safety Agreement — Fill It In Together

Emergency number: 911
Where I'm allowed to swim: __________
My swim buddy / buddies: __________
Adult I check in with: ____________
Check-in / be-home time: __________
My swim-skill goal this summer: ____
Teen signature: ___________________________   Date: __________
Parent / guardian signature: ______________   Date: __________

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

Sources: CDC, American Academy of Pediatrics, U.S. Coast Guard. This checklist is educational and does not replace active supervision or certified CPR/first-aid training.

Back to the full guide · Water Competency Skills checklist · Shallow water blackout

More Related Guides

Keep reading — expert guidance for families who love the water.

Water Safety for Teens
Read Article →
Shallow Water Blackout
Read Article →
Water Competency Skills Checklist
Read Article →
Rip Current Safety
Read Article →
Lake & Ocean Safety
Read Article →
Adult & Teen Learn-to-Swim
Read Article →

The Best Safety Layer Travels With Your Teen

Rules, life jackets, buddies, and CPR all buy time — real swimming skill is what protects an older kid in the moment, including when you're not there. It's never too late to learn: quality programs teach teens and adults survival-first skills in age-appropriate classes. Find a safety-first program near you.

Find Swim Lessons Near You

Keep Reading