Parents who have faced the tragedy of losing or nearly losing a child to drowning are far from alone.
Drowning can be silent and quick and kills nearly 1,000 children every year, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, who also lists drowning as the single leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4.
“Many of these deaths occur when children are not expected to be swimming or when they have unanticipated access to water. Toddlers are naturally curious; that’s why we must implement other strategies, such as pool fencing and door locks,” said Dr. Sarah Denny, who was the lead author of the AAP’s updated policy on “Prevention of Drowning,” which published in March.
And drowning accidents can happen to anyone at any time.
A Tennessee mother invented “water guardian” tags after she lost her 3-year-old son to drowning on a family vacation. All the protections were in place – a heavy door, a fence, a home filled with doctors and parents – but in the few minutes the mom turned to clean up, the little boy ended up in the pool.
It takes only seconds for a child to drown. But the latest recommendations from the AAP are aimed to prevent these tragedies.
Here’s what you should know.
Toddlers are most at risk
The highest rate of drowning from 2013 to 2017 was in children aged newborn to 4 years, the AAP reports. Most infants drown in bathtubs and buckets, whereas the majority of preschool-aged children drown in swimming pools.
The next high-risk group is adolescents 15 to 19 years of age.
The risk also increased for African American children, who have the highest drowning fatality rates. There is also an increased risk for children with underlying medical conditions or children with autism.
Toddlers are at most risk for drowning. African American children are also a high-risk group. (Photo: FatCamera, Getty Images)
Swim lessons can help
The AAP suggests that swim lessons can be beneficial for children starting around age 1 and may decrease drowning rates.
“Families can talk with their pediatrician about whether their child is developmentally ready for swim lessons, and then look for a program that has experienced, well-trained instructors,” said Dr. Linda Quan, another co-author in the AAP policy.
“Ideally, programs should teach ‘water competency’ too – the ability to get out of the water if your child ends up in the water unexpectedly.”
But the organization also warns that even the best swim lessons cannot “drown-proof” a child, so adults should still take steps to make a child’s environment safer.
Besides swim lessons, small children and non-swimmers should wear approved life jackets when they are near water and swimming.
Secure pools and other bodies of water
The AAP recommends that pools be isolated with four-sided fencing at least 4-feet tall with self-closing and self-latching gates.
But beyond pools, parents must also keep in mind other bodies of water from lakes to bathtubs. Adults should empty buckets and other containers immediately after use. Also, don’t leave young children alone in the bathroom and place locks on toilets.
Supervise within an arm’s reach
Adequate supervision is an essential preventive strategy, says the AAP.
Supervising adults should be close, constant, and free from distractions. For beginning swimmers, “touch supervision” is recommended, meaning the adult should be within an arm’s reach of the child so he or she can pull the child out of the water if the child’s head becomes submerged.
Adults should be within arms reach of young children to help prevent drowning incidents, AAP recommends. (Photo: Orbon Alija, Getty Images)
Know how to spot a drowning child
It’s easy for parents and supervisors to be distracted, says Stephanie Shook, senior manager instructor for Engagement & Quality Assurance for the American Red Cross. Adults should look for signs of active drowning: silence from a child or a look for panic or concern; a child’s head tilted back trying to keep airways clear; a child’s arms moving downward as if they are trying to get a hold of something that’s not there.
Learn life-saving skills
Immediate resuscitation, even before the arrival of emergency responders, is the most effective means to improve the outcome of a drowning incident, AAP reports. Early bystander CPR, with a focus on airway and rescue breathing before compressions can help increase chances of survival.
For more information on drowning prevention and life-saving strategies, visit healthychildren.org, poolsafely.gov, cdc.gov and watersafetyusa.org.
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