Water Safety

Overview 

          The beginning of summer is always a good time to review the importance of water safety.  Drowning deaths among children increase dramatically between the months of May and August.  While attention to water safety is a year round endeavor, warm weather increases our exposure to the dangers of water, whether it is in a swimming pool, play pool, lake, river or ocean, or simply the bath tub or a pail of water.  Knowing and following a few simple rules is essential for avoiding a preventable tragedy such as drowning.  Drowning is defined as death resulting from immersion injury within 24 hours of the event, while near-drowning is an immersion injury in which the person survives for at least 24 hours. 

The Grim Statistics 

          While children age 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates, teens and adults should be aware of the dangers of water, as well.  Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are male.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “every day, about ten people in the United States die from unintentional drowning.  Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger.  Drowning is the sixth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14 years.” 

The Danger Differs by Age Group 

INFANTS:  Infants most commonly drown in bathtubs or 5-gallon buckets used in the home.  Most deaths occur in the absence of adult supervision.  Bathtubs and buckets should always be emptied. 

PRESCHOOLERS:  The greatest dangers for preschoolers, age 18 to 30 months, are back yard pools and hot tubs.  Adult supervision and adequate fencing are essential.  Immediate performance of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) can have a significant effect on the outcome of these accidents. 

SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN:  School age children are much more likely to drown in natural bodies of water than in backyard swimming pools.  Learning to swim, learning water safety rules and wearing appropriate personal flotation devices are the key to reducing risk in this age group. 

ADOLESCENTS:  Adolescents and young adults, age 15 to 24 years, have the second highest rates of drowning, after preschoolers.  These drownings most often take place in natural bodies of water with drowning among boys occurring more than six times as often as among girls.  Many of these accidents are associated with risk taking behavior and alcohol use.  Since diving injuries account for a number of injures in this age group, teens and young adults should be taught to jump feet first the first time they enter the water.  Personal flotation devices should be used for water activities such as boating, sailing, water-skiing or using jet skis. 

Simple Steps to Prevent Drowing 

           Summer should be a time of fun for children, teens and adults.  Swimming and other water sports are a healthy activity and provide a good form of physical activity which is important for maintaining overall health and fitness.  Some of the important steps to prevent drowning and other water related accidents can be summarized as follows: 

-maintain proper supervision by a responsible adult around water

-never swim alone, but always with a buddy

-learn to swim

-learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

-avoid alcohol before or during water related activities or while supervising children

-install proper fencing if you have a swimming pool

-use personal flotation devices when indicated 

Here’s hoping you have a fun, healthy and safe summer!