Water safety: How to prevent drownings

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. On average, 3,533 people die as a result of drowning each year, and most of those deaths are children under the age of 4 who drown in backyard swimming pools.

Many drowning deaths are preventable. So, it is vital that parents and children know how to react when someone is struggling in the water. A proper response could save a life.

The United States Swim School Association has created guidelines that can be followed during a critical water incident to prevent drowning.

<h3 class="leadin">Throw, don't go:

A young child struggling in the water can easily cause an adult attempting a rescue to drown as well. Panic can cause a child to obstruct an adult from being able to swim or stay above the water. It is safer to throw a lifesaving device, towel, rope or even a pool noodle to the person in the water, wait until he or she grabs hold and then tow the person safety.

<h3 class="leadin">Call for help:

Alert others around you that a possible drowning is occurring before you take action to try to save the victim. In case something goes wrong it is vitally important that other people know you may need assistance with the rescue.

<h3 class="leadin">Approach from behind:

If you need to enter the water to save someone from drowning, it is best to approach the person from behind to lessen the likelihood the person will grab on to you and pull you under the water as well.

<h3 class="leadin">Open water swimming:

Never swim alone. A lifeguard (or another adult who knows about water rescue) needs to be watching children whenever they are in or near the water.

Make sure your child knows never to dive into water except when permitted by an adult who knows the depth of the water and who has checked for underwater objects.

Never let your child swim in canals or any fast moving water.

Ocean swimming should only be allowed when a lifeguard is on duty.

Teach children about rip currents. If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore until you escape the current, and then swim back to shore.

<h3 class="leadin">Wear a life jacket:

If you are attempting to rescue a victim in an open body of water like a river or lake, put on a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket before you enter the water and if possible secure yourself to your boat or shore with a rope. Conditions in the water will be unknown and you will not know if you will be fighting currents or an underwater log. The life jacket could save your life and the victims.

<h3 class="leadin">Watch for signs of secondary drowning:

People who experience a drowning incident can still have water in their lungs hours after and need to be watched closely for signs of trouble breathing, which could indicate a secondary drowning emergency. If difficult breathing is noted, immediately seek medical help and call 911.

Creating a safe environment for swimming is important. The American Academy of Pediatrics offer the following water safety tips.

<h3 class="leadin">Supervision:

Never leave children alone in or near a pool or spa, even for a moment; close supervision by a responsible adult is the best way to prevent drowning in children.

Whenever children under age 5 are in or around water, an adult - preferably one who knows how to swim and perform CPR - should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."

<h3 class="leadin">Fences and gates:

Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all four sides of the pool. The fence should not have openings or protrusions that a young child could use to get over, under, or through. Check with your town, too, since it may have a different requirement.

Make sure pool gates open out from the pool, and self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach. Consider alarms on the gate to alert you when someone opens the gate. Consider surface wave or underwater alarms as an added layer of protection.

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Equipment:

Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd's hook - a long pole with a hook on the end - and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool. Choose a shepherd's hook and other rescue equipment made of fiberglass or other materials that do not conduct electricity.

Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as "floaties." They are not a substitute for approved life jackets and can give children and parents a false sense of security.

<h3 class="leadin">Swim lessons:

Children over age 1 may be at a lower risk of drowning if they have had some formal swimming instruction. However, there is no evidence that swimming lessons or water survival skills courses can prevent drowning in babies younger than 1 year of age.

<h3 class="leadin">Avoid entrapment:

Suction from pool and spa drains can trap a swimmer underwater. Do not use a pool or spa if there are broken or missing drain covers. Ask your pool operator if your pool or spa's drains are compliant with the Pool and Spa Safety Act. If you have a swimming pool or spa, ask your pool service representative to update your drains and other suction fitting with anti-entrapment drain covers and other devices or systems.

<h3 class="leadin">Inflatable pools:

Large, inflatable, aboveground pools have become increasingly popular for backyard use. Children may fall in if they lean against the soft side of an inflatable pool. Although such pools are often exempt from local pool fencing requirements, it is essential that they be surrounded by an appropriate fence just as a permanent pool would be so that children cannot gain unsupervised access.

<h3 class="leadin">Boating safety:

Children should wear life jackets at all times when on boats, docks or near bodies of water. Adults should wear life jackets for their own protection, and to set a good example.

• For more tips on water safety from the AAP, visit www.healthychildren.org. To find a USSSA-affiliated swim school near you, visit www.usswimschools.org.