According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people die from unintentional drownings every day. For every child who dies from drowning, another eight receive emergency department care for non-fatal drowning. Whether you’re headed to the pool or beach this summer, the American Trauma Society, Pennsylvania Division (ATSPA) and Safe Kids Pennsylvania (SKPA) want to ensure you and your children are safe.
“Studies show that 90 percent of caregivers supervise their children, but also admit that they engage in other distracting activities at the same time,” ATSPA CEO, Krista Brands stated.
SKPA State Office Coordinator, Jessica Ritter said, “Drownings can happen in an instant and in an inch of water. There is no substitution for careful monitoring of children in or near water.”
The ATSPA recommends the following to be safe in and around the water:
- Never swim alone. Ensure that a lifeguard is on duty, or the buddy system is used; swimming in numbers dramatically reduces the risk of injury and drowning.
- Actively supervise children. Start by reviewing water safety rules and then continue to give children your undivided attention and always keep them in your direct field of vision.
- Teach children how to swim. Sign children up for swimming lessons to ensure they can swim confidently. Swimming in a pool is different than swimming in open water and requires different skill sets.
- Wear a Life Jacket. Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets. Water wings, pool noodles, and other similar devices are not a substitute for an approved life jacket.
- Learn CPR. Be prepared for emergencies by knowing CPR.
- Avoid the water during bad weather. If you hear thunder, immediately move to safe shelter.
“Not all drownings look the same, often they look nothing like you see on TV,” said Brands. “Victims are often not able to call for help, or aid in their own rescue,” Ritter added.
Experts agree that these are the signs you should look for:
- Head Position: low in the water with their mouth at water level or tilted back with mouth open
- Eyes: glassy and empty, unable to focus or entirely closed
- Legs: Not using their legs but vertical in the water or appear to be climbing an invisible ladder
- Breathing: Hyperventilating or gasping
- Actions: Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway or trying to roll over on their back without success
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