This month has already started to showcase warmer weather. It’s one step closer to the hot summer days, slower pace, and hopefully some extra quality time with loved ones. But with water activities, whether pools, splash pads, oceans, or fresh bodies of water, also comes the need for a different facet of safety precautions to keep everybody safe. Today we’ll share a refresher on water safety guidelines.
While a great way to cool down, an alarming 66% of water related deaths occur between May and August, and children are 100x more likely to die from drowning than from a gun.
Children are more likely than any age group to drown or experience injury when around water:
- Children under the age of 1 year are most likely to drown in the tub.
- Children between 1-4 years old are most likely to drown in swimming pools.
- Children between 4-17 years old are most likely to drown in natural water (lakes and the ocean, for example).
- While learning to swim is crucial for all ages, it has been documented that 47% of children who drowned in pools reportedly knew how to swim.
It’s the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14. It’s not just children ages risk, either- in the United States, someone dies from drowning every 10 minutes. Every year in the United States there are over 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings. All could have been prevented.
Supervision, supervision, supervision
For all age groups, nothing else helps prevent water related injury more than supervision. Assign an adult to always keep their eyes on those in the water, without distraction. Always stay at arm’s reach of young children. Do not just drop your kids off at the public pool or leave them at the beach- designate a responsible adult to supervise, even if a lifeguard is present. It is commonly thought that when people struggle in the water, there is splashing and noise that would alert others, but drowning is silent and why “eyes on the water” is a necessary tactic.
A tragic statistic is that in 69% of child drownings, one or both parents were responsible for supervising at the time of the drowning. One highly recommended method to avoid such an incident is to verbally pass and accept the responsibility of supervising the water. Do this by actively engaging another adult (e.g. make eye contact, don’t just say it as you walk off) and say, “You’ve got eyes on the pool.” Then don’t leave your post until they confirm, “I’ve got eyes on the pool”.
Create barriers
Especially when children are present, consider ways to add layers of protection. Alarms and locks on house doors that open to pool areas, locks on pool ladders, and pool gates are all great ways to prevent kids from even getting to the water. Again, this isn’t a fool proof method- watch the video below to see how even these precautions can be circumvented by agile kids! Also keep toys that are not in use away from the pool and out of sight, as they can attract young children to the pool.
Wear flotation devices
Kids and those inexperienced around water should wear flotation devices in the pool. Flotation devices should be used in conjunction with, not instead of, a supervising adult or in lieu of learning to swim. It is also advised that everybody wears life jackets when boating, fishing, etc., in other bodies of water. Keep in mind that most boating fatalities occur from drowning.
Learn CPR
In the event somebody does experience drowning, you can help buy time until emergency personnel arrive by administering CPR. You can sign up for classes here and here, in the Tucson area (many are even offered online). Lessons are often only 2-3 hours long and teach you critical skills that can help in the event of a water emergency, but also if you ever encounter somebody who needs assistance in other settings.
Establish rules for your family and enforce them
Some examples include:
- Set limits based on each person’s ability (e.g. people who can’t swim must stay in shallow end).
- Discourage play around drains and suction fittings.
- Do not allow swimmers to hyperventilate before swimming under water.
- No breath-holding contests or games where people are pulled/held underwater.
- Adults must be present around water and actively watch swimmers, particularly when children are present.
Avoid alcohol
Alcohol impairs judgment, balance and coordination, which consequently affects swimming and diving skills and also reduces the body’s ability to stay hydrated and warm. This precaution isn’t just for the individual, but also avoid having anybody that is consuming alcohol be responsible for water supervision.
Wear sunscreen
While not directly related to water safety, skin protection is important, and should be addressed anytime we enjoy the outdoors- read our post here on sun safety.
Learn to swim
The earlier children are taught water safety and how to swim, the more likely they are to understand the dangers and take precaution. According to the CDC, participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children and young adults. As with any other precaution, it is not an ironclad tactic; it has been documented that 47% of children who drowned in pools reportedly knew how to swim. That is why it is so important to implement a variety of the precautions already shared- the more the better.
Even if you do not plan on swimming, be cautious around natural bodies of water including ocean shorelines, rivers and lakes. Currents and underwater hazards can make a fall into such bodies of water dangerous and then difficult, if not impossible, to rescue
swim lessons in Tucson
Tucson splash pads and pools are now open. Registration for swim lessons for 2024, with instructors from the American Red Cross opens May 23, at 9 a.m., on EZEEreg.com. More information is available here, and keep in mind that due to the limited space available in each session and class, a registration waitlist will be maintained. Cost is $15/session.
Students can register for one of two categories – StarBabies or Swim School.
StarBabies (ages 6 months – 2 years old) : Introduces infants and toddlers to the water in a fun and loving environment. Parents or caregivers are taught effective techniques to teach their infants and toddlers how to float, submerge, move in the water, and roll over to breathe. Classes incorporate songs, activities, and water safety education. Swim diapers are required.
Starfish Swim School (ages 3- 12years old) : This class is for those who are beginning to learn to swim and are not able to swim freestyle across the deep end of the pool. They also cannot tread water for at least 60 seconds. Prior to registering, please determine your child’s skill level based on the criteria for Swim School.
Swimming is a great way to have fun, relax with family and friends or exercise. Too often we take the water activities for granted and forget its incredible dangers. Making sure everyone is safe is key to sharing, and surviving, this upcoming summer.
https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html
-https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drowning
-https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21278094/
-https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/148/2/e2021052227/179784/Prevention-of-Drowning?autologincheck=redirected