Water safety remains a pressing concern for every parent. We have all encountered alarming stories about unintentional drownings involving children. These tales are both terrifying and tragic, mirroring an unfortunate reality: accidental drownings occur more often than we’d like to believe, even under the watch of the most alert parents. Addressing home water hazards and providing children with essential survival skills and tools to handle a life-threatening water situation is crucial.
Early Enrolment in Swimming Lessons
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unnerving “drowning epidemic,” exacerbated by instructional pool closures and the rising number of American families installing backyard pools. The American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) advises enrolling children in reputable swim lessons from age one. Jessica Box, founder of the One Baby at a Time Foundation, focusing on drowning prevention education, corroborates that statistical evidence shows these lessons are impactful.
At swimming lessons Sydney, they instruct kids in the swim-float-swim technique, equipping them with the ability to survive in water, instil beneficial habits, and impart essential water safety skills. The National Institute of Health documents that professional swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning in children by a remarkable 88 percent!
With respect to COVID-19 precautions, swim schools are adhering to stringent protocols for student safety while teaching life-saving skills. These include contactless check-ins, regular staff and student screenings, poolside sanitation stations, staff use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and frequent checks on pool chemical levels. Moreover, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have found no evidence of COVID-19 spreading through recreational water, and regular pool facility disinfection with chlorine and bromine typically inactivates the virus.
Securing Your Home Pool
Child protection in the pool involves more than life jackets or floatation devices; it also encompasses securing the environment surrounding the pool. Implementing safety protocols such as pool fences and alarms can prevent unintentional access. Pool alarms come in a variety of types, from underwater motion detectors to wearable devices to fence alarms. Some even offer Bluetooth connectivity!
Moreover, pool gates need regular upkeep to serve as an effective water barrier. The NDPA has initiated a ‘Check Your Pool Gate Month’ and suggests a routine safety checklist for pool gates, including inspecting the foundation and latch, ensuring gates are self-closing and self-latching.
Designating an Adult “Water Watcher”
Adult supervision is crucial, especially in settings without lifeguards. Assigning a “Water Watcher” ensures that someone is always monitoring the children. Water Watchers should be free of distractions, focusing solely on their responsibility, including preventing a child from submerging unnoticed and providing immediate assistance when necessary.
Understanding Dry Drowning
Dry drowning is a term that has stirred considerable apprehension among parents. It denotes a situation where a child appears normal after a day at the pool but begins struggling to breathe hours later. This condition presents in two forms: dry drowning and secondary drowning.
Dry drowning occurs when a person’s airway closes due to a spasm triggered by ingesting a small amount of water. The symptoms are not delayed and typically appear shortly after exiting the water. Secondary drowning, conversely, happens when water enters the lungs and leads to inflammation or swelling, causing respiratory distress that can manifest up to 24 hours later.
Box provides clarity on this, stating, “drowning requires water, so the concept of ‘dry drowning’ is a myth. However, in certain situations, a child could inhale water before the airways clamp shut, leading to lung damage and breathing problems 6 to 12 hours later.” She advises seeking immediate medical attention if your child ever struggles underwater and stops breathing.
Comprehending the Risks
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) reveals an unsettling 3,500-4,000 drowning fatalities each year in the U.S., translating to roughly ten deaths every day, excluding those related to boating. Sadly, drowning is the foremost cause of unintentional injury-related mortality for children between 1-4 years old, disproportionately impacting males and African Americans. For every child lost to drowning, five others need emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries. Consequently, families with young children annually consider exploring locally recognized programs known for their structured, superior offerings, such as swimming lessons Sydney.
Drowning incidents can transpire swiftly, in just 20-60 seconds, and silently, often unfolding in seemingly safe environments. A horrifying 23 percent of child drownings occur during family gatherings near a residential swimming pool. However, other bodies of standing water, like hot tubs, ponds, bathtubs, also present a significant drowning risk. A child can drown in as little as 6 centimetres of shallow water, underlining the necessity of all-year-round water safety.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, understanding water safety and implementing preventive measures is crucial to safeguard our children from water-related mishaps. While it is a significant responsibility, it is also an indispensable one. By taking the appropriate steps, parents can equip their children with the skills and knowledge they need to remain safe in and around water, ensuring peace of mind and promoting a fun, secure environment for everyone.
