Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death worldwide. On average, 400 children under the age of 15 drown in the United States each year. Drowning can happen quickly and silently, often with no splashing to alert anyone. Within minutes, an unsupervised child can begin to drown.
So what keeps us from drowning? There are a few key factors that help prevent drowning accidents and keep swimmers safe in the water.
Supervision
Active adult supervision is the number one way to prevent drowning. Children should always be watched closely whenever they are in or around water. This includes pools, beaches, bathtubs, and any other body of water. Designating a “water watcher” to keep eyes on the water at all times is recommended. The water watcher should avoid distractions like reading or phone use.
Fences, gates, and alarms on pools provide an additional layer of protection, but do not replace the need for supervision. It only takes seconds for a child to drown, so vigilant supervision is essential.
Swim Lessons
Learning proper swimming skills and water safety techniques is also vital for drowning prevention. Children can start swim lessons around age 4. With instruction, kids gain confidence and ability in the water. They learn skills like treading water, surface diving, and swimming to safety. Lessons also teach children how to respond if they fall into a pool or other water.
Along with swim lessons, water safety education teaches children important concepts like:
- Recognizing areas that are safe to swim
- Asking permission before going near water
- Only swimming with an adult present
- Knowing what to do if they fall into water
Continuing swim instruction and water safety education as kids grow can reinforce safe behaviors around water.
Personal Flotation Devices
Using personal flotation devices (PFDs), also known as life jackets, provides additional protection against drowning. PFDs keep swimmers afloat and increase visibility in the water. When worn properly, they allow the wearer to rest and breathe while floating.
PFDs come in different styles and sizes for infants, children, teens, and adults. They should fit snugly and be US Coast Guard-approved. PFDs are recommended whenever boating, rafting, tubing, or swimming in open water like lakes or the ocean. Many states require children to wear PFDs on boats.
Some key tips for PFD use include:
- Choose the right type of PFD for the activity
- Inspect PFDs for rips, broken buckles, or other damage
- Make sure it fits snugly but allows full arm movement
- Don’t rely solely on PFDs – also use supervision and swimming skills
Pool Safety Features
There are additional layers of protection that help prevent drowning accidents in swimming pools. These include:
- Pool covers: Covers block access when the pool is not in use. They should fully cover the water, with no gaps.
- Pool alarms: Alarms detect motion in the water and sound to alert adults. They provide an extra warning but don’t replace supervision.
- Safety nets: Nets surround pool perimeters to prevent accidental falls into the water.
- Door & gate alarms: These sound when a gate or door to the pool area opens. They alert adults if a child wanders into the area.
- Self-closing gates: Gates swing closed automatically and latch to prevent unsupervised pool access.
- Drain covers: Anti-entrapment drain covers prevent suction injuries and entrapment.
Pool owners should research options and utilize layers of protection that make sense for their homes and families.
Swimming Ability
As children grow, developing strong swimming skills provides protection against drowning. Children who can swim well are less likely to drown. But swimming ability alone does not prevent all drowning incidents.
Here are some key swimming skills kids should learn:
- Enter and exit pools safely using ladders and steps
- Submerge head fully under water and hold breath
- Float on front and back without support
- Tread water for at least 1 minute
- Roll body over from front to back and vice versa
- Swim front crawl stroke for 25 yards without stopping
As kids master these benchmark skills, they gain the strength and coordination for safe swimming. Lessons, practice, and repetition help develop lifesaving swimming abilities over time. But active supervision is still needed around water.
CPR Knowledge
Knowing CPR can help prevent drowning by allowing swift action if an incident occurs. Bystander CPR has been shown to greatly improve the chance of survival and recovery for drowning victims.
Those around water should learn CPR skills. CPR classes teach:
- How to recognize signs of an emergency
- Rescue techniques to safely remove a victim from water
- Proper chest compressions and breathing assistance
- Use of CPR masks or barriers
- What to do until emergency help arrives
Updates and refreshers are recommended every 2 years at minimum to keep skills fresh. Parents, caregivers, lifeguards, and older children should know how to perform CPR if ever needed.
Additional Measures
Here are some other tips that promote pool safety and drowning prevention:
- Empty small inflatable/portable pools after each use
- Remove pool ladders/steps when not in use
- Establish and enforce rules like no running near water
- Keep rescue equipment poolside
- Avoid floats and inflatables as safety devices – they are toys only
- Install no diving warning signs/depth markers
- Limit access to water when supervision is unavailable
Knowledge is Prevention
Drowning remains a leading public health issue. But knowledge is power when it comes to prevention. Understanding drowning risks, implementing safeguards, practicing water skills, and focusing on education and preparedness can help reduce tragic accidents. With layers of protection, constant adult supervision, and proper training, families can stay safer in and around the water.
Conclusion
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, often without any splashing or yelling to signal someone is in trouble. Multiple preventative layers are needed to avoid tragedy. Vigilant supervision, swimming lessons, proper safety gear like PFDs, pool safeguards, strong swimming skills, and CPR knowledge work together to prevent accidents. By putting all these protections in place, we give ourselves and our children a fighting chance to stay safe and have fun in the water.
