Risk Factors and Prevention in the Pool
Keeping a first aid kit or first aid kits by the swimming pool is not swimming safety. There are almost 4,000 fatal drownings in the United States every year. That means that across the entire United States there are more than 10 deaths by drowning or drowning related causes every day. Of those drownings in the United States, more than one in four of those people were children younger than 14. More than four times that number had to be taken to the hospital for injuries related to swimming accidents. If they don’t die they can stillreceive serious long term brain damage including learning disabilities, memory issues, and permanent vegetative state.
Thankfully, there are factors that make someone more likely to drown. Identifying these risk factors can help us set up safety precautions to prevent deaths due to drowning in this country. Supervision and barriers are the most important aspects. The youngest children who drown usually drown in bathtubs, toilets, or buckets. Leaving kids alone for five minutes can be dangerous. Barriers are good even during supervision. Natural bodies of water are dangerous for older people. Boating accidents are usually linked with drowning incidents, as improper or unlicensed use of water craft results in 3,500 boating accidents with injured boaters a year. Alcohol is a big influence as well. Seizures and other health concerns are the highest risk factor for drowning related incidents in bathtubs.
Preventing these injuries and deaths can be quite easy. Having a responsible adult designated to watch younger children, whether those children are in the swimming pool, in the bathtub, or around any body of water. Swimming with a swimming buddy can save your life. Leaving the alcohol alone near water is best. Learning to swim, as obvious as it seems, can be a lifesaver, but it is not recommended as a primary means for drowning prevention for younger children. CPR can save someone’s life before the medics get there. Use PFD’s instead of toys which are not designed to keep you safe.