Children’s health: Water safety requires more than swim lessons

For many families, summer means afternoons at the neighborhood pool, weekends at the lake, and vacations filled with water activities. But along with the fun comes an important reminder from pediatric experts: drowning can happen quickly and quietly.

Lurie Children’s is partnering with Goldfish Swim School Chicagoland to ensure families know how to keep their children safer in and around water.

“In the U.S., drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4,” says Amy Hill, director of Unintentional Injury Prevention Programs at the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities at Lurie Children’s. “Children ages 1 to 4 are more likely to drown in a pool, while those 5 and older are more likely to drown in natural water like ponds, lakes, and rivers.”

Together, Lurie Children’s and Goldfish Swim School promote the importance of “layers of protection,” including active adult supervision, CPR-trained caregivers, pool fencing, learning to swim, using U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, and swimming with a buddy.

Constant supervision is critical anytime children are near water, whether it’s a backyard pool, bathtub, kiddie pool, or the beach.

“Infants and young children often drown when it is not ‘swimming time’,” says Karen Sheehan, MD, MPH, medical director at the Magoon Institute. “If a child is missing, check the water first.”

Experts encourage parents to stay within arm’s reach of children who can’t swim independently. At least one adult should stay sober and free from distractions, such as phones or conversations. Just because a lifeguard is on duty at the pool or beach, it doesn’t mean you are off the hook as a parent. Remember, lifeguards are responsible for watching everyone and enforcing the rules. Experts also recommend that at least one supervising adult know CPR.

For families with pools at home, safety barriers are essential. Four-sided fencing around pools, self-latching gates, and removing ladders from above-ground pools when not in use reduce the chance that a child can access the pool unexpectedly.

Swim lessons are a common summer activity. They help children gain swimming and water safety skills, but lessons cannot make a child “drowning proof.” Disparities in access to swim education contribute to an increased risk of drowning in some populations. Parents should know it is never too late to learn how to swim, and many communities offer lessons for teens and adults.

One of the biggest misconceptions among parents is that drowning looks dramatic. In reality, it often happens silently.

“It can take less than one minute from the initial submersion for a child to drown,” says Sheehan. “Unlike in movies, a child who is drowning may not splash or scream.”

When a child slips underwater, it can be scary for them and their family. Any child who develops breathing problems, repeated vomiting, or unusual fatigue after a water incident should receive immediate medical attention.

“You know your child better than anyone,” Hill says. “If you feel something isn’t right, bring your child to their pediatrician or an emergency room.”

With Lake Michigan leading the Great Lakes in drownings, there are special considerations for open water. Conditions can change rapidly. Water temperature, currents, and depth may shift unexpectedly, presenting additional dangers, even for experienced swimmers. Follow the flag warning system and swim in areas where lifeguards and safety equipment are available.

“Never swim alone in open water,” Sheehan advises. “Even strong swimmers need buddies.”

Other safety tips for open water include wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket on boats, jet skis, and paddle boards; avoiding swimming after dark; and not diving into unfamiliar water where depth has not been checked.

“Making life jacket wearing a part of your routine should be as natural as wearing a helmet when riding a bike or wearing a seat belt in a car,” Hill says.

• Children's health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.