Death by drowning is a largely preventable tragedy that strikes nearly 1000 American homes each year. If your children are going to be on or near water this summer, there are some dangers that you should watch out for and teach your children to watch out for.
I think it was the apostle Paul who first preached on the virtue of moderation. This is true regarding the water, just like anything else. Accidents can happen in a normally safe environment when there is an abnormal amount of, well, anything. Kids who get overly tired have a higher risk of drowning. The same is true for kids who get too hot or too cold. Swimming too far from shore increases the risks as well. Teach kids to moderate, and to get out of the water when they become “too” anything.
Another danger to watch out for is the weather. Especially in late summer, the weather can change quickly and with little warning. When swimming in the ocean or lake keep an eye on the sky and watch for increased clouds and incoming storms. The wind can change a swim in a peaceful lake into a scary and dangerous adventure. There have been wind-related deaths at Iron Man Triathlon competitions. If these trained athletes cannot swim in the waves created by a windstorm, it is not likely that your child will be able to. Besides the wind, lightning also poses a big risk when on the water. If you or your child is on the water when lightning strikes there is great danger of being struck.
Associated with the weather are the hazards of hypothermia and heat exhaustion. Both increase the risk of drowning. Teach your child if they start to shiver, they should leave the water immediately. Similarly, heat exhaustion can quickly zap a child’s strength leaving them unable to swim. Children should not stay in the water for long periods of time because it is hard to assess these risks while swimming. When on land the children should be encouraged to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, which can lead to cramps and drowning. They should be monitored for shivering and bluish colored lips and fingernails, which indicate hypothermia. They should also be monitored for dizziness, nausea, or lethargy, which indicate overheating.
One of the greatest risks to teenagers is diving. Diving into shallow water can lead to drowning and to life altering spinal cord injuries. Teenagers should be taught to look for and obey “No Diving” signs in areas where they swim. Obstacles in the water can be hard to see and they can appear to be farther down than they actually are. It is a good idea that teenagers practice a “No Diving” rule in general. Of course, it is hard to get teenagers to follow rules so the dangers and consequences of diving should be stressed.
Another danger is relying on non-approved flotation devices. Children may feel confident in the water if they are wearing “water wings” or if they are floating on a tube. These inflatable devices are not the same as a life jacket. While they are fun to play with, they are not safe and should not take the place of knowing how to swim or of wearing a life jacket. The only safe floatation devices are Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices (PFDs). Buy your child a PFD and teach him or her to use it when in the water in the same way they use a helmet when riding a bike.
Knowing the risks of drowning puts you in a position to teach your children how to avoid those risks. Make sure if your children are going to be spending time on or near the water this summer that they know how to swim. Swimming lessons through the Red Cross are cheap, effective, and also focus on water safety.
