While summer brings on the joys of long warm days by the pool, the harsh reality is increased water activities bring with them higher risks for water-related injuries, most notably near-drowning and drowning events. “Drowning is the number one cause of death for children 1-4 years old in the United States” according to recent reports from the CDC (1).
A child in distress often does not look like we imagine in books or movies. Rather than struggling with arms flailing, most drowning events are near silent. A child falls or slips into the water with little to no sound at all. Within the medical community drowning events are categorized in two ways: non-fatal or fatal. In a non-fatal drowning event, it is important to monitor children closely for worsening symptoms like persistent coughing, confusion, lethargy (extreme tiredness), vomiting, difficulty taking deep breaths, or changes in level of consciousness (3, 4). If any of these symptoms are noted or the child does not seem to be acting at their baseline, then it is always advisable to seek immediate medical evaluation.
Unfortunately, according to recent information published by the CDC in June 2024, we have seen a marked increase in drownings particularly in toddler and preschool-aged children in 2022 compared to the last review in 2019 (2). Alaska Native or American Indian are the ethnic group with the highest drowning rates (2). Below are some tips on how to take steps in drowning prevention and safer water activity engagement (2, 3, & 4):
-Learning basic swimming skills – Swim lessons can be expensive and a time commitment, but children as young as 1 year of age can benefit from the basics of survival swimming skills according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
-Always ensure adult supervision – It is ideal to have at least one adult solely responsible for monitoring without distractions any minors swimming in a pool, lake, river, or ocean.
-Choose bathing suits with bright colors – It is suggested that neon-colored swimsuits are the easiest to identify while lighter colors can become faded or distorted in the water.
-Pool safety - For pools specifically, install fencing that completely closes off the pool at least 4 feet in height for all inground pools, and remove the ladder for above-ground pools when not in use.
-Personal Floatation Devices - Ensure children wear a life jacket or personal flotation device based on state laws when operating boats or in large bodies of water. Click here to see a map of state PFD requirements.
Water activities can certainly be the highlight of the summer season, follow these tips as a starting point to ensure your children and loved ones remain safe!
References:
(5) State Laws for Life Jackets : BoatUS Foundation Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board