Drowning/Near Drowning
A leading cause of death from unintentional injury.
Highest risk:
Children under 5
Young adults from 15 to 24
Males 4 times more likely to be victims than females
Most children drown at home (pools, tubs, etc.)
Drowning recovery can have complications
Respiratory problems
Brain damage
Head, Neck and Back Injuries
High-risk activities:
Diving into shallow water/murky water
Diving from a height (cliff, roof, bridge, etc.)
Surfing, boogie boarding, body surfing, etc.
Damage to the spinal cord leads to –
Death
Permanent disability
Over excertion
Swimming requires stamina and energy
Swimmers can over-estimate their ability
Too much activity can cause exhaustion and cramps
Swimming alone is dangerous
Weather and water conditions contribute to
exhaustion
Cold water saps a swimmer’s heat and energy
Moving water can cause injuries and breathing difficulty
Again, swimming alone is dangerous
Tips for Everyone
Never swim alone
Swim near the lifeguard or a “water watcher”
Follow the rules of the swimming area
Use sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat when in the
sun; protect young children from the sun
Enter the water safely (feet first)
Wear life jackets when boating
Stay with a capsized boat
Do not mix alcohol and swimming or boating
Home Pool Safety
Use the Circle of Drowning Prevention
Have the family learn to swim and learn first aid/CPR
Always have a “water watcher”
Post rules and safety equipment
Keep the pool area and water clean
Remove any broken tiles, sharp areas, hazards
Check homeowner’s insurance for coverage
Spa Safety
Use the spa safely
Maximum safe temp: 104°F (40°C) for 15 minutes
Do not use alcohol while soaking
Talk to doctor if pregnant or have a medical condition
Maintain the spa
Keep the water clean and filtering
Secure the spa when not in use
Supervise children; under 5 not allowed
Be prepared for an emergency
Post emergency number; have a phone nearby
Know how to turn off the spa
Other Containers of Water
Small children can drown in:
Kiddie pools
Decorative ponds and fountains
Bathtubs
Toilets
Buckets and basins
Layers of protection (Circle of Drowning Prevention)
Constant adult supervision
Restrict access to water inside and outside
Do not leave standing water around the home
Pool Parties
Check homeowner’s insurance
Alert parents of guests using the invitation
Announce pool party; make it optional
Provide schedule of pool time
Invite parents to come and watch their child
Include pool rules
Hire a lifeguard/designate a “water watcher”
Lifeguards are available from local pools or services
Water watchers are responsible adults
Water Watchers
This program makes parents and guardians more responsible supervisors
As a Water Watcher, you must:
Watch the children in the pool and never leave them unattended
Regularly scan the bottom of the pool
Avoid poolside chats and talking on the phone
Keep a phone at the pool for emergency use only and know the address where you are guarding
Call 9-1-1 and follow advice to administer CPR if necessary
Learn to use all pool safety equipment
Swimming Pools
Community pools and pools at school generally have lifeguard service and/or instructor supervision
Follow these guidelines for supervised pools:
Check out the quality of supervision, if possible (Is someone really watching the children?)
Talk to your children about their experiences at the pool
Make sure your children understand safety rules and commit to follow them
Set limits based on age and ability
Most pools require that an adult accompany a child under 8
Unsupervised Pools
Hotel/motel, association, neighborhood pools
Look for “Swim at Own Risk” sign and posted rules
Establish safety rules for your family
Supervise your children (Water Watcher)
Waterparks
Check for lifeguards, but watch your children
Use life jackets with weak swimmers (waterparks supply these free of charge)
Read and follow posted rules/age and size limits
Be aware of moving water
Get in correct position for slides – face up/feet first
Natural Boldies of Water
Watch for changing conditions
Currents
Water levels that rise or fall
Murky water/obstructions
Plant and animal life
Broken piers and rafts
Swim in designated areas
Swim with a buddy in supervised swimming areas
Avoid quarries, ditches, and dams
Use recreation equipment (jet skis, etc.) properly
Get instruction, follow rules, avoid alcohol
Wear a life jacket
Avoid bad weather
Avoid water, open areas, and trees in thunder storms
Watch for flooding and contamination after heavy rain
Take care to prevent exposure to cold
Protect yourself if caught in a current
Don’t fight it; a 2-mile/hr current exerts 33 lbs per sq inch
Position yourself on your back, feet-first
Steer away from the main current, then go for shore
Avoid submerged objects
Ocean Safety
Waves
Strong waves can knock a person down
Wash/backwash can pull a person into oncoming waves
Breaking waves around rocks can be life threatening
Currents/drifts
Longshore drifts move swimmers down the beach
Rip currents move away from shore
Murky water can hide obstructions
Dangerous marine life (sting rays, jellyfish, sharks, seals/sea lions) can cause serious injury
Check weather and surf conditions; look for flags
Never dive through waves
Swim close to the lifeguard station
Supervise children in or near the water at all times
Stay away from rocks when the surf is heavy
Avoid drifts, rip currents, wash/backwash
Learn the direction of the drift; keep children in sight
Watch for rip currents or ask the lifeguard
If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until out of it and then back to shore
Avoid the shoreline when strong waves create fast wash/backwash
Avoid dangerous marine life
Shuffle your feet in the sand to move sting rays in the sand
If stung by a sting ray, spiny fish, or sea urchin, soak the wound in hot water for 30 minutes and watch for an allergic reaction or breathing difficulty
Never touch jellyfish; they even sting when dead
If stung by a jellyfish, rinse in vinegar or sea water (not fresh water) and then soak in hot water for 20-30 minutes
Swim in groups to discourage predatory animals and curious mammals that can bite.
Cold Water and Ice Safety
General safety tips
Hunt, fish, boat, or go out on ice with a buddy
Always wear a life jacket around cold water
Wear layers of winter clothing
Avoid unsafe ice
Ice should be at least 4 inches thick for walking, skating
Thin ice, new ice, thawed and refrozen ice should be avoided Self rescue
In cold water
Get out of cold water if possible; rewarm yourself carefully using warm environment, fire, body warm, etc.
If you cannot get out of the water, stay still to trap water next to your skin so you keep yourself warmer longer
If the ice breaks
Try to slide out and distribute your weight
If you cannot do this, stay at the surface and call for help
Boating Safety
Always wear a life jacket
Take a boating safety course
Required equipment
Navigation and rules of the road
Boat handling in different conditions
How to embark, disembark, and secure the boat
Never mix alcohol and boating
Let someone know your schedule (float plan)
Pay attention to weather and water conditions
Life Jacket Selection
US Coast Guard approved
Right type for the activity
Right size for the wearer
In good repair, including buckles/straps
Snug but comfortable in and out of water; test after purchase in a swimming pool
Always wear when boating, hunting/fishing around cold water, or if a non-swimmer in the water
Recognizing an Emergency
Be prepared at all times; stay alert
Most accidents are preventable
Problems can occur even with good swimmers
Use all of your senses
Unusual sights, sounds, smells, etc.
Predictable victim behaviors
Recognizing an emergency may save a victim’s life!
Deciding to Act
You can save a life! But don’t risk yours!
Maintain a position of safety
Act safely:
Call for help (dangerous condition or serious injury/illness)
Reach or throw, don’t go
Extend your reach with a pole, etc.
(You can reach with an arm or leg, but carefully)
Throw a buoyant object and line; throw over and pull to victim
Wade to chest with an object to reach a victim; calm water
Help victim out of the water and provide care
