Lifeguard guide to water safety and drowning prevention for autistic people
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At a Glance
- Autism itself does not predict swimming ability, behavior in the water or risk in aquatic environments. Lifeguards should base safety decisions on what they observe and use this guide to support communication and response.
- A U.S. study from 2016–2020 found that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had more than twice the odds of an unintentional drowning-related emergency visit compared with non-autistic children.
- Some autistic people have co-occurring conditions, such as epilepsy, which can raise drowning risk if a seizure happens in or near water.
- Wandering (also called elopement) is common among some people with ASD and has been linked to drowning incidents.
- Some swimmers may stay underwater longer while playing or engaging in sensory-seeking behavior. This can be dangerous and may lead to loss of consciousness, even if they do not appear to be in distress.
Many people with autism show a strong interest in water. For some, it can provide a calming sensory experience, which may lead them to seek it out.
In a review of 23 reported fatal drowning incidents in U.S. newspapers involving children with autism from January 2000 to May 2017, wandering was the most common factor before the incident, occurring in 73.9% of cases.
Parents, family and friends of people with autism should make it a priority to teach and practice water safety to prevent accidents. In addition to our tips and tools for water safety, you can search Swim and Water Safety in our Resource Guide.
Education and action should continue all year round. Kindll Williams, owner of the Dallas-based special needs swimming program, Swimming Elite, said lifeguards and swimming instructors are often unaware about the water safety risks for autistic people.
“It isn’t talked about,” said Williams. “I've been a lifeguard instructor for more than 25 years, and not once have I been to a facility or training that has talked about how to communicate with children with autism or teach them how to swim.”
Families are encouraged to communicate any safety needs or considerations with lifeguards to help improve support and safety.
Lifeguard tips for water safety and supporting autistic swimmers
1. Learn what autism is and isn't
If you have been told someone is autistic, pay extra attention to their swimming, especially if they come alone. You need to be aware that there are some common characteristics of autism, like stimming, that are merely signs of communication. They do not mean someone is in distress. But it always safe to err on the side of caution and practice patience in communicating with autistic individuals. Take our Autism Friendly Training course and earn their Autism Friendly Ally badge to signal that you are welcoming and ready to support autistic swimmers.
2. Count heads and scan your zone regularly
Whether you are working at a pool or a lake, regularly count the number of people while scanning your zone to ensure everyone is accounted for. Take note when people enter and exit the water. This is standard lifeguarding practice for all swimmers, but it is especially important because some people may be more likely to wander or stay underwater for longer periods. Limit non-essential conversation while on duty to maintain active supervision.
3. Quickly ask for more information if an autistic person goes missing
If an autistic person goes missing, ask for more information from a caregiver or companion if possible. Ask for a description and any relevant details, such as their communication style (verbal or nonverbal), whether they are likely to respond to their name, and anything else that may help you locate or communicate with them. This first-responder tool kit includes communication techniques and other useful information that may help lifeguards during an emergency.
4. Show kids your lifesaving equipment
Invite children at your facility to get to know you and the lifesaving equipment. Give them opportunities to see the equipment up close, handle it when appropriate and ask questions. In a rescue situation, some autistic children may be hesitant to grab onto unfamiliar equipment. Becoming familiar with lifesaving gear ahead of time may help them feel more comfortable and respond more quickly in an emergency.
5. Be clear and direct
If a person with ASD is engaging in unsafe behavior, give clear, direct instructions and explain the safety reasons behind it. If a swimmer does not respond to your lifeguard whistle, approach them, make sure you have their attention and give instructions face-to-face. Some people may find whistles overwhelming or may not realize you are trying to get their attention, and some swimmers may not hear them due to headphones or other communication differences.
If the behavior continues, notify caregivers or companions and reinforce safety concerns. Don’t allow unsafe behavior to continue.
6. Reminder to use safety ropes for depth changes
If you are working at a pool, use a rope to clearly mark where the water becomes deeper. Clear visual boundaries can help some autistic swimmers better recognize changes in depth and navigate the pool more safely.
7. Prioritize standard rescue procedures and adapt as needed for safety
Be prepared to respond to emergencies using standard lifeguard rescue procedures. While the rescue technique should remain the same, you may need to adapt your approach in the moment depending on how a person responds in the water. Some people with ASD may react unpredictably or become overwhelmed in high-stress situations, so focus on maintaining control of the rescue and ensuring a safe outcome.
8. Observe for subtle or atypical distress signals
Some autistic swimmers may not display typical outward signs of distress (such as calling out or waving). Lifeguards should be aware that drowning may present with subtle or atypical visual cues. Always rely on observable drowning indicators rather than anything vocal alone.
9. Report experiences to your supervisor and lifeguard team
Share relevant experiences involving communication or safety challenges with autistic swimmers with your supervisor so they can be talked about at in-services with the entire lifeguard team.
Tips for swimming facility owners to support autistic swimmers
Swimming facility owners can support autistic swimmers as well by communicating safety rules in different ways to ensure understanding, Williams said. Posting pictures next to pool guidelines helps those who are visual learners understand the rules.
Training lifeguards and staff on how to support autistic swimmers can also help create a safer and more inclusive swimming environment. Enroll in our Autism Friendly Designation program and have your staff become Autism Friendly Allies to signal to your community that you are welcoming and ready to support autistic swimmers.
“Preventive lifeguarding is what we teach lifeguards from the beginning of their training,” Williams said. “With the world changing and being more inclusive, we need to start teaching our lifeguards about autism and how to effectively communicate with autistic swimmers so they can have fun, be safe in the water and follow the rules.”
For additional resources:
- Click here for our Swim and water safety guide
- Contact our Autism Response Team
About the author
Casey Murphy is a New Jersey-based writer, swim coach and instructor. A former NCAA swimmer (2015–2019), she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative and Professional Writing in 2021. She has worked for thirteen years as a lifeguard and has taught swim lessons and coached swimmers at various levels, including children with autism. Outside of swimming, she writes short fiction and poetry and continues to develop her craft. You can reach her by email: caseymurphy83@yahoo.com.
