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Drowning prevention starts with education. While the following statistics may be shocking, we believe that education is a vital first step when it comes to drowning prevention.
1. There are at least 10 fatal drownings per day in the United States.
2. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4. And for every child who drowns, there are another 4-5 who are hospitalized and may suffer lifelong disabilities due to oxygen deprivation.
3. Most children who drown do so within 20 yards of a parent or caregiver.
4. Most childhood drownings occur in swimming pools, but children are also at risk in natural bodies of water such as lakes and retention ponds.
5. The CDC finds that most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and the majority of these drownings took place in the midst of a family reunion or other gathering.
6. A Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine study found that formal swim lessons for 1-4 year olds can reduce the risk of drowning up to 88%. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics modified their recommendations about swim lessons, citing studies that show most children over the age of one may be at lower risk of drowning if they have some formal swimming instruction.
7. Drowning is fast and silent. Drowning can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds; the time it takes to apply some sunscreen, respond to a text, or read a post on social media.
8. Movies depict drowning as flailing and yelling for help but in reality this is not the case – most drowning victims slip into the water undetected, and cannot surface to splash or call for help.
9. Parental Supervision is the #1 way to prevent drowning. No level of aquatic skills will replace adult supervision. However, no one can watch their child 24/7, so if your child ever goes missing, check the water first!
1. Supervision is #1 – make sure someone is always within arm’s reach of a child who is in or around the water. Never assume someone else is watching your child! Keep your child in arm’s reach at all times when in the water.
Don’t leave to answer the phone, the door, or to get a towel — if you need to leave take your child with you.
If arriving at a beach, locate a lifeguard tower and set up near it if possible.
Know how to spot a rip current and avoid them.
Studies suggest a fenced backyard swimming pool reduces a child’s risk of drowning by 83 percent. All Pools should be enclosed with a 4 ft, 4-sided permanent pool fence and self-locking gate. Keep the gate closed at all times.