The hot desert temperatures are here, and there’s almost no better way to enjoy some relief from the heat than a good swim.
It’s important though to remember to put safety first: protect children and others in and around the water.
The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDoH) reports our state has been relatively lucky with respect to drowning. Drowning ranks a distant fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in New Mexico over the last five years at 1.3 percent.
But nationwide, drowning is a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 4, and the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For every child less than 15 years old who dies from drowning in a pool, another 10 receive emergency department care for near downing injuries, which can cause anything from bumps and bruises to brain damage that can result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functions.
The good news is that drowning can be prevented. Here are some of the most effective ways to assure you and your family stay safe in and around swimming pools:
Swim Lessons:
Formal swimming lessons and water-safety skills training can start at any age. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics supports swimming lessons start for kids as young as age one. The decision to begin swimming lessons should be based on the person’s exposure to water, emotional maturity, physical limitations, and health concerns. Research by the CDC has found taking formal swim lessons reduces the risk of drowning by as much as 88% among young children aged 1 to 4 years,
Supervision:
Children should never be in or around a pool alone. Prevent unintended pool access using four-sided isolation fencing, door locks, gate locks, and alarms that are triggered when someone enters the water. In most cases of young children who drowned in pools, they were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time.
It’s also important to remain vigilant when in or around a pool. Never leave a child alone or in the care of another child while in the pool or other water source, even if the child has had formal swimming lessons. When a young child or inexperienced swimmer is in or around water, always be within arm's length. Don’t let yourself get distracted by activities such as reading, yard work, or texting or talking on the phone. Drowning can happen very quickly and quietly.
Supervision is important even when there are lifeguards at the pool. Lifeguards enhance safety, but they’re not babysitters, and their ability to safeguard a crowded pool has limits. It's often another swimmer or bystander who first notices that someone is in trouble.
Life Jackets:
Even in a pool, inexperienced swimmers and young children benefit from wearing properly fitted life jackets. NMDoH and the CDC advise you don’t rely on air-filled or foam toys, such as "floaties," "noodles," or inner-tubes, in place of life jackets for flotation support. These are all toys and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
CPR:
Knowing CPR can also save the life of someone who drowns. CPR performed by bystanders has been shown to improve outcomes in drowning victims. For example, starting CPR immediately, instead of just waiting for emergency personnel, can help reduce the chance of brain damage.
Remember: for best protection, combine several of the above safety tips to do the best job possible of reducing the risk of downing. For more swim safety tips, visit http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/water-safety/swim-safety