Have you ever fallen face first onto the ground from a rope swing or wiped out hard while water skiing? Maybe you’ve taken a shot to the unmentionables during an impromptu beach volleyball game or got a face full of sand during an intense session of castle building.

Back in the day when one of these unfortunate things happened, a bit of teasing from your buddies would be the only penalty. Now, in the age of YouTube, Twitter and Instagram, those embarrassing moments last a lot longer to everybody’s amusement.

They’re called Summer Fails.

There are many different types of fails, but they all have one thing in common. You guessed it – failing!

Summer fails are no different.
 

So you want to have some summer fun, but you don’t want to be the centerpiece of the latest viral video featured on Jimmy Kimmel. 

So here’s your guide on how to avoid Summer Fails.
 

1. Use Your Head

That rope swing attached to a frail looking branch over shallow water may look fun (and it most definitely is), but it’s also very dangerous. The chances of you coming out of that situation unscathed are slim to none.

In others words don’t do it.

Before attempting a new stunt, make sure it’s safe. Assess the situation. Check the strength of the rope, pick out a good landing spot, try to avoid rough waters and just don’t do anything stupid. This can be applied to rope swinging, water skiing, pool diving and everything in between.

Basically, think before you act and your Summer Fails should be a thing of the past.

Side note, if you don’t believe you have the athletic ability to handle it, maybe it’s a good idea to avoid activities that could lead to fails altogether. Nothing wrong with chilling on the sidelines champ!
 

2. Put Those Phones Away

The only way to be the brunt of a joke in a viral video is if someone records it. If no phones are out to take pictures or video of your miserable moment then some guy in Arkansas can’t howl at your misfortune in his parent’s basement.

Before you jump off that cliff or attempt to boogie board down a waterslide into a kiddie pool, do a scan of everybody present. Your friends will probably be cheering you on, but deep down they want you to fail so they can post it on the World Wide Web.

Don’t give them the satisfaction.

Grab a baseball cap or empty bag and get everybody to put their phones in it, just as you would with names for a raffle draw for a big screen TV.

It’s better to be safe than sorry.
 

3. Be Safe and Use Protection

Alright, maybe you just want to go for it.

It looks like a ton a fun, the cameras are rolling and you just want to see what happens. If you’ve decided to proceed with an activity that could lead to a Summer Fail, just be safe about it.

Put together a makeshift chest protector with newspaper and a burlap sack, find an old-style hockey mask (maybe like the one Jason wore) and find those soccer shin guards you used when you were six.

If you’re going to fail, at least live to tell the tale.

--

So that’s your three step guide on how to avoid Summer Fails. Use them wisely people, use them wisely.