Causes, Consequences and Prevention
Drowning is a leading cause of death and injury for children of all ages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5–14 in the United States. Drowning can happen in any type of water, such as swimming pools, bathtubs, buckets, lakes, rivers, oceans and even toilets. Drowning can also happen when children are not expected to be near water, such as when they gain unsupervised access to pools or other water hazards.
What is drowning?
Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid. Drowning is not always fatal. Fatal drowning happens when the drowning results in death. Nonfatal drowning happens when a person survives a drowning incident. Nonfatal drowning has a range of outcomes, from no injuries to very serious injuries such as brain damage or permanent disability.
What are the causes of drowning?
Drowning can be caused by many factors, such as:
- Lack of supervision: Children can drown quickly and silently in as little as one inch of water. Supervision by an adult who is attentive, sober and within arm’s reach is essential to prevent drowning. Distractions such as phones, TVs, books or other activities can reduce the effectiveness of supervision.
- Lack of barriers: Fences, gates, locks and alarms can prevent children from accessing pools or other water sources without adult supervision. Research suggests that fencing can prevent more than half of all swimming pool drownings of young children.
- Lack of swimming skills: Swimming is a life-saving skill that can reduce the risk of drowning. However, many children do not learn how to swim or do not swim well enough to be safe in water. Swimming lessons can be beneficial for children as young as one year old, but they are not a substitute for supervision or barriers.
- Lack of life jackets: Life jackets can prevent drowning by keeping the head above water and providing buoyancy. However, many children do not wear life jackets when they are in or near water, especially in natural water settings such as lakes or rivers. Life jackets should be worn by all children who are in or near water, regardless of their swimming ability.
- Alcohol use: Alcohol can impair judgment, coordination and swimming skills. It can also increase the risk of hypothermia and cardiac arrest. Alcohol use is a factor in up to 70% of adolescent and adult drownings . Alcohol use by parents or caregivers can also reduce their ability to supervise children around water.
- Medical conditions: Some medical conditions can increase the risk of drowning by affecting breathing, consciousness or mobility. These include seizures, asthma, heart problems, diabetes and hypoglycemia. Children with these conditions should be closely monitored around water and have their medications readily available.
How can drowning be prevented?
Drowning can be prevented by following some simple tips:
• Learn how to swim and teach your children how to swim. Swimming is a life-saving skill that can reduce the risk of drowning. However, swimming lessons are not a substitute for supervision or barriers.
• Supervise children around water at all times. Adults should watch children closely and constantly when they are in or near water. They should avoid distractions such as phones, TVs, books or other activities. They should also be within arm’s reach of young or inexperienced swimmers.
• Use barriers to prevent access to water. Fences, gates, locks and alarms can prevent children from accessing pools or other water sources without adult supervision. Fences should be at least four feet high and have self-closing and self-latching gates. Remove all toys from the pool area that might attract children to the pool when the pool is not in use.
• Wear life jackets when in or near water. Life jackets can prevent drowning by keeping the head above water and providing buoyancy. They should be worn by all children and adults who are in or near water, regardless of their swimming ability. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys, as these are not safety devices.
• Learn CPR and first aid. CPR can save lives by restoring breathing and circulation in drowning victims. First aid can help treat injuries or complications from drowning. Take a class today at www.texascpr.com
• Avoid alcohol and drugs when in or near water. Alcohol and drugs can impair judgment, coordination and swimming skills. They can also increase the risk of hypothermia and cardiac arrest. Do not drink alcohol or use drugs before or during swimming, boating or other water activities. Do not drink alcohol or use drugs while supervising children around water.
• Know the risks of natural waters. Lakes, rivers and oceans have hidden hazards such as dangerous currents, waves, rocks, vegetation and limited visibility. Check the weather forecast before going to natural water settings and avoid them during storms or floods. Choose swimming sites that have lifeguards when possible.
• Use the buddy system when swimming. Always swim with a buddy and never swim alone. The buddy system can help in case of an emergency or distress. The buddy system is especially beneficial for people with medical conditions that increase their risk of drowning.
• Take additional precautions for medical conditions. Some medical conditions can increase the risk of drowning by affecting breathing, consciousness or mobility. These include seizures, asthma, heart problems, diabetes and hypoglycemia. Children with these conditions should be closely monitored around water and have their medications readily available.
• Educate yourself and others about drowning prevention. Drowning is a preventable tragedy that requires awareness and action from everyone. Learn more about drowning prevention from reliable sources such as the CDC, the American Red Cross, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the World Health Organization. Share this information with your family, friends and community.
By following these tips, you can help prevent drowning and save lives. Remember: drowning happens quickly and quietly, but you can prevent it!