We seem to be instinctively drawn back to the water from which our most distant ancestors came (and perhaps this is a key to unlocking the door on the mystery of why dolphins so love human beings).

However--we land-lubber human beings no longer have gills or fins. And contrary to a commonly held myth, swimming is not second nature to us (infant water therapy notwithstanding). So, as much fun as swimming in the water can be for us, it can also be deadly.

Statistically, a home with a back yard pool is more dangerous, more potentially deadly, to children than a home in which the parents keep a locked gun cabinet. Each year, there are more children who die by drowning in swimming pools than there are who die because of a gun accident.

There are certain vitally important safety measures that adults should make sure they practice with children whenever there is a swimming pool or a beach, a lake, etc where children are playing in the water.

First and foremost, no children under the age of 14 should ever be left alone near the water. Not for a second. It takes only a split second for a child to fall into a pool, hit her head on the edge on the way in, and die in a matter of minutes, or to have something very similar happen just as quickly and tragically. If you have to go somewhere, all young children need to go with you.

Another thing to do is be wary of pools bearing toys. Even if it isn't your own back yard pool, but one close by your home, pay special attention to small children going into the pool to play with the toys. Always keep your pool toy free when you're not there, and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

Also keep your pool fenced in, and make sure the fence is locked and is too tall for small children to climb over. Children have little sense of the dangers of pools and won't think to ask for adult supervision.

Teach your children to swim, or have them taught, from the earliest possible age. Ignore their protests if they put up resistance. They will thank you later, and it could very well save their lives one day.

Children also need to be taught never to swim alone. They should always have at least one friend with them whenever they are going swimming. First aid kits and life-savers should always be close by the pool. If you are swimming at a place such as a lake, take first aid kits and life-savers with you. As a parent, learn CPR.

However, even more safety can be afforded to children who are going swimming, or boating or fishing on a boat, with the use of one of the best water safety inventions ever devised--the life jacket or safety vest.

At Avendales, there is a wide array of Coast Guard approved safety vests and related water safety items that are offered to give children added protection in or near the water.

Their Finis Swim Vest can be adjusted by adding or removing foam layers that alter the buoyancy. The vest also acts to keep children upright in the water. The large life vest for children is designed to promote floating on one's back, one of the safest positions to take in the water.

Their Sprint Children Therapy Wet Suit was especially designed to be worn by autistic children to keep them safe while they, too, enjoy the water and the sunlight. The Swim-Tee Trainer is a tank top swimming suit with a heavy duty inflatable inner tube designed for small children just learning to swim. This trainer promotes self-confidence in the water while providing a very high degree of safety.

The Spring Duck Mat is used to provide safety and support for water therapy rehabilitation or water aerobics.

Avendales offers a Water Sports Helmet to be used with such water sports as tubing, water skiing, and wake boarding. The impact resistant outer shell adds much more protection to potentially dangerous but exciting sports.