According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2005 there were 3,582 unintentional drownings in the U.S. About a quarter of those drownings occurred to children under 14 years old, and for every fatal drowning, there were four times as many nonfatal hospitalizations of children in this age group. The facts are clear: Aquatic deaths are a real and present danger in America, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the water this summer. You just need to follow basic aquatic safety guidelines.
Types of Aquatic Environments
Every aquatic environment poses risks, but knowing the specific risks associated with different types of environments can help you determine what steps to take to ensure your family's safety this summer. Open-water environments include beaches, lakes, rivers and ponds. These areas are often unguarded by lifeguards. According to the CDC, at beaches that have staffed and guarded hours, three-quarters of all drownings occur outside of those hours. And, by contrast, when those same beaches were guarded, the chances of drowning were one in 18 million. When possible, swim at areas that have lifeguards present. Swimming pool environments include public facilities, private facilities and residential facilities. In children ages 1 to 4, residential swimming pools pose the greatest risk for drowning. Make sure you take your family to facilities that have fences or other barriers surrounding the swimming pools so that the risk of a child slipping away unnoticed is diminished.
Considerations to Improve Safety
The American Red Cross has a number of suggestions when it comes to water safety. Some of these include: Never swim alone, never trust one child's safety to another, enroll yourself or your child in swim lessons, wear a life jacket when boating or if you are not a proficient swimmer, and swim in areas that are being protected by a lifeguard. Drownings can occur in a matter of seconds, so make sure you are alert and aware while in an aquatic environment. Keep a constant eye on your children and survey the area for any potential dangers. Scan the area that you are swimming in about every 20 seconds to ensure everyone is still present and having fun.
Equipment
Purchase life jackets for everyone in your family, and whenever boating or participating in open-water activities, require that they be worn. Make sure your life jackets are Coast Guard approved (this approval is on the tag or printed on the jacket) and that they are designed for the weight of the person wearing it. Children should not wear adult-sized jackets. Life jackets are designed to keep a person at the surface of the water, face-up so that they can breathe. Reaching and throwing equipment, like ring buoys or rescue hooks, are required by law at all swimming pools, but unfortunately are not always present at open-water environments. These tools are used to reach a victim without risking injury to the rescuer. If you know you will be at a river or lake that is unguarded, purchase a ring buoy and practice how to use it before your trip.
In an Emergency
The American Red Cross suggests having a cell phone, first aid kit, throwing equipment and life jackets with you whenever you are around water. The Red Cross suggests that if a child goes missing, check the water first. In an aquatic emergency, if the victim appears to be unconscious or if the victim is submerged, immediately call 911. If the victim is conscious, try to throw a ring buoy to him and tow him to safety. If this does not work, approach the victim from the behind and grip the victim with your forearms by reaching under the victim's armpits and grasping the victim's shoulders. You should then either swim to safety, or wait for additional help. Never risk your own safety to save someone else.
Things to Avoid
Alcohol and water do not mix. According to the CDC, almost half of all drownings in adolescents and adults involves alcohol. Better to avoid it than to risk the consequences. Avoid swimming in bad weather. If strong winds, big waves, thunderstorms or rip currents are forecast, postpone your swim for another day.
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