Amanda Benko | Intern UAB School of Education – CHHS

Drowning Prevention – Kids under 10

Drowning is an extremely serious issue, especially for children under the age of ten. Every year, numerous lives are lost due to drowning situations that may have been avoided with adequate education and care. This article attempts to shed light on the significance of drowning prevention and how to recognize the subtle signs of drowning. By understanding these crucial points, we can take steps to ensure the safety of our young ones around water.

Drowning Prevention: Several significant precautions may be taken to reduce drownings in children. The first important step is to maintain regular supervision (Wickens et al., 2021). Never leave children unattended near water, regardless of its size or depth. Assigning a responsible adult to supervise children during aquatic activities is critical. Enrolling children in age-appropriate swimming instruction is another important preventative step (Guevarra et al., 2021). These classes teach young people important swimming techniques and increase their confidence in the water. However, it is crucial to realize that swimming instruction alone does not ensure safety. Pool barriers and safety precautions are also essential, particularly for households with pools. Install a security fence around the pool area, with the gate self-closing and latching. It establishes a physical barrier that restricts uncontrolled entry into the pool.

Drowning Does not Always Look like Drowning: Contrary to popular belief, drowning occurs without signs of frantic splashing and cries for help. Instead, a person drowning may be silently struggling to keep their head above water, gasping for air, with a distant look in their eyes and arms extended to the sides. Recognizing these modest indications is critical for early intervention and could make a major difference in saving lives. We can react to and avoid terrible situations in and around water if we recognize that drowning does not always look like what we anticipate.

Above all else, to ensure water safety this summer, make sure kids have a responsible adult present in the water. Also, make sure your children are wearing some form of floatation device, and get your child comfortable in the water to know to go somewhere safe or to a wall when they begin to feel tired or accidentally inhale in water. These are great ways to prevent tragedy in the water. What tips do you plan to use this summer to ensure water safety?

References

Guevarra, J. P., Peden, A. E., Orbillo, L. L., Uy, M. R. S. Z., Madrilejos, J. J. R., Go, J. J. L., … & Franklin, R. C. (2021). Preventing child drowning in the Philippines: the need to address the determinants of health. Children, 8(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.3390/children8010029

Wickens, N., Wallace, R., Dare, J., Costello, L., Lo, J., & Nimmo, L. (2021). Mobile phone use and social interactions among caregivers can reduce their ability to provide constant supervision to children at Australian public swimming pools. Health promotion journal of Australia, 32, 147-157. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.445