The CDC to Texans: ‘Don’t Drink and Swim!’

You hear "don't drink and drive" a lot. But here's an important tip for summer: Don't drink and SWIM.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 70 percent of water-related deaths involve alcohol use. This statistic is reason enough to keep alcohol and swimming separate. Drinking is known to impair judgment, cause dehydration, and slow coordination. These factors could contribute to injuries or drowning incidents, so be safe and don’t drink.

A growing segment of Texans, 12.9%, do not know how to swim, a recent study finds. Surprising (and seemingly dangerous) in a state that boasts nearly 7,000 lakes and an enviable pool-to-people ratio, 36 Texans for every backyard swimming pool.

According to the CDC, 31% of all drowning deaths involve a blood alcohol level of 0.10 or higher. That's the equivalent of just three or four drinks.

Drinking impairs your judgement and makes you more likely to take risks. So it's especially dangerous at the beach where there's a current or riptide. But it can cause unwise decisions around the pool too, like diving where it's too shallow.

Be careful on boats as well. 27% of deaths involving boats and jet skis also involve a blood alcohol level of 0.10 or higher.

Obviously operating a boat while drunk is a big no-no too. You're 14 times more likely to be killed in a boating accident if the person behind the wheel is over the legal limit.

I've mentioned MANY times before that I live at Buffalo Springs Lake, so I see a LOT of boating mishaps and accidents. Literally 99.999% of the accidents I've witnessed have involved alcohol. I really can't stress enough how dangerous it is to get on ANY motorized watercraft when you've been drinking.

Hell, I LOVE beer! I drink a ridiculous amount of beer. But I NEVER, and I mean NEVER operate a boat or jet ski after I've had even one. You shouldn't either.