Prevention

“Drowning is amongst the most preventable of injury-related accidents among children.”

- St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Swim Lessons

Participation in formal swimming lessons has been found to reduce the risk of drowning by 88%.

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends considering swim lessons starting as early as age 1.

Knowing how to swim is a life skill like knowing how to read.

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Adult Supervision

A young child can drown in 20 to 60 seconds.

Half of the child drowning victims are within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. Most child victims had been out of sight for less than 5 minutes.

Approximately 75% were being supervised by one or both parents.

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Fences & Gates

Proper fencing around a pool (on all 4 sides and 4 feet high) with a self-latching gate can reduce drowning for young children by 50%.

17% of drownings at a private residence occur in above-ground pools.

An Australian study found that in cases of drowning deaths where a barrier had been breached, 63% of victims entered through an open or unlocked gate.

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Emergency Preparedness

Three-quarters of the children who drown were in the care of one or both parents.

More than half of children who drown do so when they were not at the pool nor expected to be.

40% of kids who go to the ER after a drowning incident are then admitted.

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Regulation Floatation

Regulation Coast Guard life vests are the most adequate floatation device.

A child can drown in water that is 2 inches deep.

80% of people who drown in boating accidents were not wearing a life vest.

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Bath Safety

2 inches is enough for bathtime.

Cradle the baby's head with one arm and wash with the other.

Towel dry quickly to prevent loss of body heat.

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Rivers & Lakes

Never swim alone.

Know what’s beneath the water and on the bottom surface if you are swimming; particularly if jumping in or diving.

Be aware of hazards and currents.

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Drains

Make sure drains have anti-entrapment covers and are compliant with federal and local requirements.

Children have been caught in the suction of drains and killed by extreme force.

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Diving

More than 40% of spinal injuries caused by careless diving occur in backyard pools.

The deep end in a residential or smaller motel or hotel pool is usually too shallow and short, and the diver can strike his head on the sloping surface of the pool that leads up toward the shallow end.

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