Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in children, and many of these tragedies are preventable with proper safety measures and vigilance. Understanding how to protect children from drowning and what to do in an emergency can save lives. Read on to learn more about how to ensure water safety and prepare for the unexpected.

Preventing Drowning Accidents with Water Safety

Supervision is Key

Active supervision is the most critical step in preventing a drowning accident. Children should never be left alone near water, even for a moment. Whether it’s a bathtub, pool, lake, or ocean, a vigilant adult should always be within arm’s reach of young children.

Personally, I can’t count the number of news stories about drowning accidents that involve someone leaving a child or even just looking away for a very brief time. Stay close and always keep sight of children in water.

Barriers Save Lives

Install barriers around swim pools to limit unsupervised access. A pool fence with a self-latching gate can reduce drowning risk by up to 83%. Ensure the fence is at least four feet high and has no openings a child could crawl through.

An alternative to a pool fence is a pool alarm. This is a safety device designed to detect unauthorized access or accidental falls into a swimming pool. The pool alarm is equipped with sensors that monitor activity in or around the pool.

When the sensors detect movement, a disturbance in the water, or a breach of the pool perimeter, they trigger an audible alarm. The loud sound alerts nearby adults to investigate and respond promptly. And speaking from experience, it is LOUD!

Teach Water Safety Early

Enroll children in swimming lessons to teach them basic water survival skills. Many programs, starting as early as six months, focus on helping children learn how to float, tread water, and reach safety if they fall in.

Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) is a specialized program designed to teach infants and young children self-rescue skills in the water. Unlike traditional swimming lessons, ISR focuses on survival techniques, such as teaching infants as young as six months old to roll onto their backs and float if they accidentally enter the water.

Toddlers and older children learn additional skills, including swimming to safety. The lessons are highly individualized, taking into account each child’s age, developmental stage, and physical ability. By equipping children with these critical survival skills, ISR acts as an additional layer of protection against drowning, especially in situations where adult supervision momentarily lapses.

ISR is particularly effective in reducing drowning risks because it empowers children to react independently in water emergencies. The program emphasizes repetition and muscle memory, helping children instinctively respond to water accidents.

Wear Proper Gear

Always use Coast Guard-approved life jackets for children near open water or on boats. Floaties and inflatable toys are not substitutes for life-saving devices.

But there is a place for floaties! They do help kids feel more comfortable in the water but should only be used with parent supervision because kids can get too comfortable wearing them and not realize they can’t swim without them.

Empty Water Containers

Empty all bathtubs, kiddie pools, and buckets immediately after use. Even a few inches of water can pose a drowning hazard to small children.

Educate and Enforce Rules

Establish clear water safety rules, such as no running near pools and no swimming without adult supervision. Encourage older children to set a good example for younger siblings.

What to Do If You Find Someone Drowning

Even with preventive measures, emergencies can happen. Knowing how to respond quickly and effectively is vital.

Call for Help

The first step is to call emergency services immediately. Shout for help to alert others nearby who might assist.

Reach, Throw, Don’t Go

If the drowning person is within reach, use a pole, stick, or any available object to pull them to safety. If they are farther away, throw a floatation device or something buoyant to them. Avoid entering the water unless you are a trained rescuer, as this could put both of you in danger.

Administer CPR

Once the person is out of the water, check if they are breathing. If not, begin CPR immediately.

• For children and infants, start with five rescue breaths followed by 30 chest compressions and two breaths, repeating the cycle.
• For adults, perform 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths, repeating the cycle until help arrives or the person starts breathing.

If you’re not trained in CPR, perform chest compressions only. Hands-only CPR can still make a significant difference until professional help arrives.

Monitor for Secondary Drowning

Even if a child appears to recover, they may still be at risk of secondary drowning, where water inhaled into the lungs causes complications later. Watch for symptoms like persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or unusual fatigue, and seek medical attention if they appear.

Conclusion

Preventing drowning accidents requires constant vigilance, proper safety measures, and education. Knowing how to respond in an emergency is equally important. By creating a safe environment and teaching children about water safety, we can reduce the risk of drowning and ensure that water activities remain enjoyable and safe for everyone. Always remember: safety first, every time.