Preventing Drowning

On this page you will learn guidelines on preventing drowning, drowning statistics, risk factors and the first aid treatment for near drowning victims.

• An average of 4000 to 6000 people drown in the United States each year.
  
  
• An average of 500 to 1000 people drown each year in boating related incidents.
  
  
• One fourth of the drowning's in the United States are child drownings (under the age of 14).
  
  
• Non-fatal drownings can cause brain injury that can result in memory problems, long-term disabilities or a permanent vegetative state.

• Children up to the age of four.
  
  
• Non-swimmers or people that are inexperienced swimmers.
  
  
• Males are four times more likely to die from drowning.

• Lack of barriers.
  
  
• Lack of supervision.
  
• Boating incidents.
  
  
• Alcohol use.
  
  
• Seizure disorders.

• An adult must always be present and watching young children while they are in a bath, swimming or playing around water.
  
  
• You should always swim with a "swim buddy".
  
  
• Swim near lifeguard stations.
  
  
• Learn how to swim.
  
  
• Avoid drinking alcohol while swimming. While supervising children, do not drink alcohol.
  
  
• Learn CPR.
  
  
• Use approved personal flotation devices.

• Install a four-sided pool fence that completely separates the house from the pool area. This fence should be 4 to 5 feet high depending on local building codes.
  
  
• Install self-closing and self-latching gates around the pool. Gates should open outward and should have latches that are out of reach of young children.
  
  
• Install a pool alarm on the gate to alert you if someone enters the pool area.
  
  
• Put a floating pool alarm to alert you if a child or pet falls into the pool.
  
  
• All floats and pool toys should be put away after swimming.

• Stay calm and call 9-1-1.
  
  
• Remove the drowning victim from the water immediately.
  
  
• Use an extended pole, rope, life preserver or life ring to pull the victim from the water.
  
  
• If the victim is breathing, turn them on their side or on their stomach to allow them to cough out the water.
  
  
• If the victim is not breathing, immediately begin CPR.
  
  
• If the victim is a child and is not breathing, begin Child CPR. If the victim is an infant, begin Infant CPR.
  
  
• Begin first aid for other injuries.
  
  
• Since drowning victims often have neck and spine injuries, be very cautious when moving them or doing CPR.
  
  
• All wet clothing should be removed and the victim should be covered in a warm blanket to prevent hypothermia.

• Do not walk out onto ice to rescue someone. Use a stick or pole or a stretched out hand to reach the victim, if possible.
  
  
• Do not jump into turbulent or rapid moving water, this may endanger your own life.
  
  
• Do not jump into icy water, this may endanger your own life.