What is the one thing you feel compelled to do if you see someone drowning?
For many, the first response is to jump in the water to save the person in distress. But experts warn against that, saying it's safer safer to throw a lifesaving device, towel, rope or even a pool noodle to the person in the water, wait until the person grabs hold and then tow the person to safety. The United States Swim School Association (USSSA), a leading swim school organization, has created a set of guidelines for how to respond to a possible drowning. (See below for five recommendations).
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death. Overall, drowning incidents for the summer peak swimming season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, were down slightly in 2015. There were 1,114 media reported drowning incidents in 2015 compared to 1,126 in 2014. Drowning incidents among children were also slightly lower. The media reported 511 drowning incidents involving children age 18 and under in 2014 compared to 461 in 2015. While the number of media reported drowning occurrences was lower, the USSSA warns parents and all swimmers to remain vigilant.
“The number of drowning incidents reported by the media is the best method we have to track how many likely occurred, but it is not a one hundred percent accurate measurement,” Sue Mackie, Executive Director of the United States Swim School Association said in a press release. “There is no universally required method of reporting a near drowning or drowning. In some states drowning incidents are tracked by local health departments, others do not keep track at all. No matter if a drowning is reported or not what everyone needs to remember is that every drowning is preventable. It is vital that we all remain vigilant around water, especially when it comes to children.”
Of the 461 drowning incidents involving children age 18 and under, the most common location of the drownings were in swimming pools (209) followed by lakes (76), rivers (51), ponds (25) and oceans (25). The states with the most reported drowning occurrences were Texas (48) followed by California (38) and Florida (38). In Georgia, there were 16 last year.
Here are five recommendations for what to do in a drowning situation:
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. What can happen is, the drowning victim who is panicking, can grab hold of anything they can grab hold of including the person trying to save them (and pull them down). 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.
Call for Help. Alert others around you that a 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.
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.
Wear a Life Jacket. If you are attempting to rescue a drowning 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.
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 after a drowning, immediately seek medical help and call 911.
Note: USSSA recommends several standard water safety precautions to parents to help avoid drowning incidents by being proactive and creating a safe swim environment including: keeping children under constant supervision, enrolling children in swimming lessons, knowing CPR, having pool fences and barriers installed.
MORE: Eight water safety tips including delegating a “water watcher”
WATER SAFETY RESOURCES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/
Georgia Department of Public Health: http://dph.georgia.gov/pools
National Drowning Prevention Alliance: http://ndpa.org/
