An estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings occur in the United States each year, including those caused by boats. This equates to an average of 11 drowning fatalities each day.
Drowning remains the major cause of accidental deaths in the world, and with a few significant safety tips, we can reduce the fatalities it causes.
Understanding the demographics that are at higher risks, adhering to adequate safety measures, and learning how to react in an emergency are ways we can prevent it widely.
However, drowning is preventable. Knowledge of a few important water safety tips and emergency response can save numerous valuable lives:
The Risks Of Drowning
Age is the most prominent risk factor for fatal drownings: Except for birth abnormalities, drowning claims the lives of more young children than any other cause of mortality. It is the leading cause of death in children worldwide.
Men are at a higher risk of drowning accidents given their riskier behavior, such as swimming all alone or alcohol intake before swimming. Their exposure to water is also higher, especially for men in commercial fishing and on-ship/boat occupations.
About 75% of deaths in flood disasters occur due to drowning: With climate change, flood disasters are becoming more frequent, and developing countries aren’t well-equipped to deal with them. In remote areas where warning and evacuation are not possible, the rate of casualties is much higher.
Water Safety Tips to Prevent Drowning
Despite being one of the leading causes of death, drowning is preventable if appropriate measures are taken. Here are some basic water safety tips that you should be familiar with to prevent drowning accidents:
Learn Swimming
According to a Red Cross survey from 2014, only 56% of Americans who self-identify as swimmers can perform all five of the fundamental skills that could help them save their lives in the water. The sequence of these life-saving water abilities is as follows:
- Enter the water with a step or a jump over your head.
- Return to the surface of the water and float or tread water for one minute
- Complete a full circle and then find an exit
- Swim at least 25 yards to the exit
- Exit from the water. Be able to get out of a pool without needing the ladder.
Consider having everyone in your family take swimming lessons, even if none of you are fond of the water. Swim lessons are available at many neighborhood community centers. Invest your time and money into aquatics training so you can prevent yourself from drowning.
Don't Leave Kids Unattended Near Water
A child can drown in a few feet of water in just a few minutes. Even after taking swimming lessons, you should always be vigilant when the kids are around water. A responsible adult should be assigned to watch over youngsters in or near water closely and at all times (including bathtubs).
Drowning incidents occur quickly and quietly. Adults supervising children near or in water should refrain from engaging in distracting activities like reading, talking on the phone, or using alcohol or drugs. Close and lock any doors that lead to the water when you are finished swimming.
Avoid Dangerous Waters
Swimming in cold water is always risky. In Washington State, lakes, streams, and rivers can remain cold even during the hottest days, which makes them particularly dangerous. While swimming in cold water, you will initially feel cold and may even shiver. But as soon as your body temperature decreases, confusion sets in.
Lakes, rivers, and oceans have hidden dangers, including hazardous currents or waves, rocks or plants, and poor visibility. Even if you are a strong swimmer, quick currents, deep water, and a sudden drop-off might put you in danger in natural bodies of water.
Refrain From Risky Behaviors
86 percent of people who drowned in 2019 were not wearing life jackets. Life jackets lower the risk of drowning. Never rely on air-filled or foam-filled equipment to keep kids safe. These are just toys, not lifesaving devices. Instead, use safety gear like life jackets and other items approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Avoid consuming alcohol before or while participating in water sports such as swimming or boating. Never consume alcohol when watching over youngsters. Alcohol hinders decision-making, coordination, and balance.
Avoid swimming if you use medications that affect your balance, coordination, or judgment. These negative effects raise the possibility of drowning.
What To Do When Someone is Drowning?
If you notice someone’s head vanishing beneath the surface of water quietly and oddly, they may be in trouble. Call for assistance from a skilled person if possible, or try to pull the person in from where you are standing. If it’s too risky, don’t put your life in danger.
Immediately alert 911; a panic button can help you call them promptly. Inform them about the drowning, and ask for emergency medical responders and ambulance service.
Call a Lifeguard
If you have not received training, do not get into the water to rescue the drowning person as you risk your safety. Look for a lifeguard around you who can save the drowning individual. Most lifeguards keep a laser light switched on with them at night so they can be located.
If you can’t find a lifeguard, throw a flotation device such as a rescue tube or life jacket, or stretch a long pole to save the drowning individual. Do not get into the water yourself and risk your life.
Perform CPR
Once the drowning person is out of the water, check for pulse and breathing. Place your hand on the chest to confirm breathing. If the person is breathing or has a pulse, immediately take them to the hospital nearby.
If they don’t have a pulse nor are they breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Perform 100-120 chest compressions per minute, and give mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths after every 30 chest compressions. Once breathing and pulse are restored, take them to the hospital.
Wear a Water-Resistant Safety Device While Swimming
More than 40% of drownings treated in emergency departments must be hospitalized or transferred for additional care.
A water-resistant safety device can help you notify people around, or even 911, in case you’re out of control. Drowning is instant, but severe drowning leading to death takes between 10-12 minutes. If you promptly alert someone around you in an emergency, you may save your life!
Silent Beacon panic button is a water-resistant safety device that you can wear during swimming, water sports, or while enjoying a beach day.
The water-resistant safety device can alert your loved ones via email, text, and push notifications. It allows you to call 911 for help so emergency medical technicians can reach you in a life-threatening drowning emergency faster.
