One quarter of adults surveyed by the American Red Cross know a drowning victim, and half of those surveyed have personally experienced a near drowning. Tragic accidents can happen in a matter of seconds. You can be safe and still have fun while swimming recreationally, but it will take constant awareness of your surroundings and vigilance while supervising children.
Drowning
Drowning is the seventh-highest cause of accidental death. It is the second-highest cause of accidental death in children from 1 to 14 years of age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Around 300 children age 5 and under drown in home swimming pools, reports the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Many states require home and public pools to have a barrier, such as a fence, surrounding the pool. Even if you live in an area without a regulation, limit access to your pool area with a barrier that prevents access by unsupervised children.
Supervision
Never leave a child alone when swimming, even if you are at a pool or outdoor swimming area that is staffed by a lifeguard. Nearly half of families who go swimming in the summer do so in areas that do not have a posted lifeguard, according to the American Red Cross. If you swim without a lifeguard present, be sure you know what to do in an emergency. Many child drowning deaths occur when children are actually being supervised.
Emergency Response
Of children who drown, 77 percent were out of sight from a parent or adult for less than 5 minutes. Drowning happens quickly and a fast emergency response can save lives, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If a child is missing, check the nearest water source first. Know how to perform a water rescue and cardiopulmonary resuscitation on both children and adults. CPR to restart breathing quickly can prevent brain damage.
Recreational Water Illness
Drowning isn't the only danger when it comes to recreational swimming. Illnesses caused by chemicals and waterborne germs are also common. If you swallow water contaminated by Cryptosporidium, E. coli or other germs, or inhale concentrated pool chemicals, you can develop diarrhea, skin problems, ear infections or worse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recreational water illnesses can be picked up in pools or outdoor water sources, such as rivers and lakes. Don't go in the water if you are ill, try not to swallow any water and make sure children are clean before entering the water.
Member Comments