Child Drowning May Occur Quickly and Silently

By Christina Reichert, FNP- BC

Ouch Urgent Care located at SCU of Health Sciences

Summer is here and with it brings lots of fun at the beach and pool side play!! Parents, grandparents and babysitters should know that children can drown quickly and silently. Everyday children die from accidental drownings or suffer permanent brain injury from water accidents. There’s lots we can do to protect children from accidental drownings this holiday weekend.

Here’s a few tips on how to spot a child in trouble!!

1. Silent drowning may go sight unseen– In children, you may see nothing more than head bobbing, no flailing arms. A child may take a deep breath and go under water to play with friends and never come up.
2. Lifeguards are not able to see everything– Once a child goes out into the ocean from a beach packed with people, a child floating in the surf may not be seen until it’s too late. Keep your eagle eyes on the lookout!
3. Experienced swimmers can drown– Fatigue, cramps or rip tides can pulled even the most experienced swimmer out to sea.
4. Drowning may occur in as little a bucket of water– Toddlers and babies are at great risk for bath tub, kiddie pool, toilet bowl or water bucket drownings.

Risk factors for drowning accidents!

1. Inadequate supervision
2. Inability to swim or overestimate capabilities
3. Risk taking behaviors…jumping from bridges or cliffs
4. Developmental delays

How to prevent drowning risk in our children….

1. Guardians keep your eagle eyeon your child at all times
2. Take a Basic Life Supportclass
3. Enroll your child in swim lessons
4. Always wear life jacketson boats, paddle boards, jet skis, kayaks etc.
5. Teachyour child about rip tides and currents
6. Install proper fencing, safety gaits and alarms around pools
7. Adults – avoid alcoholwhen watching kiddos
8. Check depthprior to jumping in pool
9. Be wary of drainsin pools, hair could get caught

All that said….have a fun and be safe this summer!! J