This is a guest post by Meisa Ezekiel. Meisa Ezekiel,
M.D. is a board certified pediatrician who lives in Austin, TX.
She is a mother of four young children and a tireless advocate for the underserved in her community.
M.D. is a board certified pediatrician who lives in Austin, TX.While the summertime can draw many to the pool, it also draws many to the beaches, lakes and rivers. You’ll want to master safety in natural bodies of water as a precaution.
Whether you plan to take the boat out on the lake or swim out to the sandbar, you’ll want to master these drowning prevention safety precautions first.
The two best protections against childhood drowning are when kids:
1) know how to swim well
2) have adult supervision
Swimming Safety in Natural Bodies of Water
Teenage boys are especially vulnerable to peer-pressure, and more likely to take risks and ignore warning signs.
Talk with your teen about the importance of swimming in the presence of lifeguards and warn against the pressure to swim in places or for distances beyond their ability.
Be sure they know to never swim, or ride in a boat or personal watercraft (even as a passenger), when they or others have alcohol or other impairing drugs present or in their system.
It’s ideal for an adult to supervise teenagers, but at the very least, they should always use the buddy system (never swim alone). Even strong swimmers are at risk for drowning during accidents or sustaining bites or stings.
Water Sport Safety in Natural Bodies of Water
Water sports such as surfing, water skiing, and jet skiing are popular with thrill-seekers, but do these activities sober and with caution to avoid severe injury, like spinal cord or head trauma.
Any water sport should take place in the presence of others who can help in case of an accident. Children under 14 years old should not operate personal watercraft alone.
Another way to avoid head and spinal cord trauma is to never dive into unknown waters.
Always enter feet-first or have an adult first check how deep the water is by entering the water feet-first and checking for underwater objects.
Protective Devices to Help with Safety
Also, all young children, non-swimmers, and anyone at higher risk of drowning (intellectual disability,
neurological disorder such as seizures, certain heart problems, etc.), should have “touch supervision” and wear a personal flotation device (PFD), or life jacket, when in or near water.
Everyone on a boat should wear a life jacket.
Always be aware of water and weather conditions (tides, waves, water currents, and storms in the area).
If there is a storm, get out of the water and seek shelter in case of lightning.
Lifeguards to Help with Safety
If possible, choose a swimming area protected by a lifeguard.
Although not foolproof, the presence of a professional lifeguard helps prevent drowning by determining the presence of hazardous conditions, deterring dangerous behavior, and recognizing if someone is in distress.
Stay within the visibility of the lifeguard, never swim in areas designated off limits, and always obey warning signals and flags.
Smart Swimming
Rip currents are involved in the majority of beach drowning events.
Only swim off the beach when a lifeguard is on duty. If you get caught in a rip current, don’t try to swim against it.
Rather, swim parallel to shore until you’re out of the current.
When Things Go Wrong
Drowning usually occurs silently and rapidly, with the victim quietly disappearing beneath the surface or found motionless and floating in the water.
However, you may recognize signs ahead of time that a person is in danger of drowning:
- Head low in the water or tilted back with mouth open.
- Gasping.
- Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus, closed, or covered by hair.
- Trying to swim in a particular direction but not getting anywhere.
- Appears to be climbing an invisible ladder –Legs hanging straight down.
In most cases, rescue must occur within five minutes to reduce the risk of death from drowning. So if a child is missing, always look in nearby water first.
If someone else is present when you find a drowning event victim, ask them to call 911, but don’t spend precious time looking for someone.
If the victim is not breathing on their own, start CPR immediately (breaths can be given in the water if you can’t get them out right away) and continue until paramedics arrive or they begin breathing on their own.
Don’t do the Heimlich maneuver, which can cause the victim to inhale water coming up from the stomach.
The victim might not respond quickly to CPR, but it’s important to keep trying until paramedics arrive.
People who have initially appeared lifeless revive. If the victim is unable to clearly explain what happened, shows evidence of head or facial injury, or is found unresponsive, keep their neck immobilized until paramedics arrive.
Any child who almost drowns needs a complete medical examination, even if they seem all right. Damage to the lungs, heart, or brain may not be initially detected.
Educate yourself and your family on these drowning prevention safety precautions, then get out there and enjoy swimming in the natural bodies of water.
