SWIM SAFE! 
The American Red Cross and the staff of Chickasaw National Recreation Area encourages all visitors to keep water activities safe and fun by remembering these safety tips:

• Choose a safe place for water activities.
• • There are no lifeguards on duty; all swimming is at your own risk.
  • Small children and non-swimmers should wear Coast Guard approved life jackets; some areas have sudden drop offs.
  • Stay within reach of children.
  • Don't swim alone.
  • If you swim from a boat, make sure the boat is anchored. Never start the engine while swimmers are overboard.
  • Water activities and alcohol do not mix. Many drownings are alcohol-related and can be prevented by not drinking alcoholic beverages before or during water sports.
  • Know local weather conditions and how to find out what is forecasted.
• Know how to prevent, recognize and care for hypothermia & heat emergencies.
• Enter water feet first rather than head first if the depth is unknown.
• Know your swimming limits.
• Do not try to keep up with someone with stronger skills or ask others to keep up with you.
• Watch for the “dangerous too’s”- too tired, too cold, too far from safety or too much sun.
• Protect your skin with a high rating sunscreen, such as 15, which protects against both UVB and UVA rays. Reapply often. 

For more information and safety tips visit the Red Cross at www.redcross.org/services