How to prevent child drowning deaths this summer: Four steps that can save a life

Oftentimes, there aren’t loud splashes or screams. It’s silent. And you won’t hear a call for help. Even more troubling? It’s quick. It can happen within seconds. Child drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death in children between the ages of 1 and 4 on the Treasure Coast.

With summer in full swing, and two-thirds of these deaths occurring between May and August, it’s important to know how to prevent child drownings and what to do if one occurs (even if you don’t have a child).

How common is child drowning?

Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury-related death in children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Every year, approximately 1,000 children under the age of 15 die from drowning. An estimated 75 percent of these deaths involve children younger than 5.

Not surprising, of all the states, Florida has one of the highest unintentional drowning death rate in the nation. And, nearly two-thirds of drowning-related deaths occur between the months of May and August.

How to prevent child drowning

Even with adult supervision, child drownings can happen in an instant. In fact, research shows that in the majority of child drowning cases, an adult was supervising the child when the incident happened. Therefore, “keeping watch” or trusting someone to watch your child while he or she is swimming may not be enough to prevent an accident. Here are five water safety guidelines to follow:

• Install fences, alarms or covers – In Florida, The Safety Act requires all residential homeowners with a pool to install a protective barrier to deter toddlers and kids from accessing the pool without adult supervision. However, children can quickly learn how to get through these “fences.” Therefore, consider installing an alarm system that sounds when these fences are opened. Or, install a cover that can only be retracted with a code or key.

• Assign a designated watcher – Don’t assume other adults are watching the kids. If you are not watching your child or need to step away from the pool, verbally confirm with another adult that he or she will remain vigilant and undistracted.

• Only use life jackets certified by the U.S. Coast Guard – Boating is very popular on the Treasure Coast. All children should wear life jackets while on-board a boat, regardless of whether they can swim. And, these life jackets should be approved by the Coast Guard because these vests are based on weight and promote swimming positions. Also, make sure the life jacket fits securely and your child cannot slip out.

• Learn CPR – Knowing how to administer CPR can truly save a life. Consider taking a course on CPR to learn the proper techniques and signs. Several non-profit organizations on the Treasure Coast offer free CPR classes throughout the year.

• Enroll your child in swimming lessons – One of the best ways to prevent child drowning is to teach your child how to swim. Experts recommend enrolling your child in swim or water safety lessons as young as 6 months of age.

What to do if a child drowning occurs: 4 life-saving steps

1. Get the child out of the water

Ge the child out of the water as quickly as possible. If they are not breathing, lie them flat on their back and begin rescue breathing (below) and have someone else call 9-1-1.

2. Begin rescue breathing

Initiate “rescue breathing” by tilting the child’s head back with one hand and lifting their child with the other. Put your ear to the child’s mouth and nose to listen and feel for signs of breathing. If the no breathing is detected:

Infants under the age of 1: Place your mouth over the nose and lips and give two breaths, each lasting about 1 second. Look for the chest to rise and fall.

Children 1 and older: Pinch child’s nose and seal your lips over the mouth. Give two slow, full breaths (1 to 2 seconds each). Wait for the chest to rise and fall before giving the second breath.

If the chest rises after breaths, move to step 3. If not, try rescue breathing a few more times.

3. Check for a pulse and begin CPR

Check for a pulse by putting two fingers on the side of the child’s neck. Wait five seconds. If there is a pulse, give one breath every three seconds. Check for a pulse every minute and continue rescue breathing until the child is breathing on their own or help arrives.

If you can’t find a pulse, you’ll need to begin CPR.

Infants under age 1: Imagine a line straight down the child’s chest place two fingers just below its center point. Apply five half-inch chest compressions in about three seconds. After five compressions, seal your lips over your child’s mouth and nose and give one breath.

Children 1 and older: Use the heel of your hand (both hands for a teenager or adult) to apply five quick one-inch chest compressions to the middle of the breastbone (just above where the ribs come together) in about three seconds. After five compressions, pinch your child’s nose, seal your lips over his mouth, and give one full breath.

Keep performing CPR until the child responds or help arrives.

4. Never assume it’s too late to save a life

Even if the child is unresponsive, continue performing CPR and do not stop until medical professionals take over. Your efforts could save a life.

Stay safe this summer on the Treasure Coast

Nothing beats summer on the Treasure Coast! But with lots of pools, waterways and beaches, the Treasure Coast is a high-risk zone for child drowning. Keep children safe this summer by following these water safety tips. And remember, we all have a part in preventing child drowning accidents.

For more information about drowning and water safety, please the St. Lucie County Department of Health website here.

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