Swimming allows your child to have fun while exercising, however, water safety must not be taken lightly given drowning statistics. Swimming requires the proper attention and training in order to decrease the chances of drowning. There are many things that a parent can do to ensure the safety of their child. These things include giving your child swimming lessons at a young age and supervising your child when they’re in the water. It’s important to establish water safety rules with your children and family so they understand the risks associated with water. The following drowning statistics are scary, but if you educate yourself on recognizing the signs of drowning and remain vigilant over those swimming – you will be able to react and act.
Drowning Statistics You Didn’t Know:
Drowning Statistic #1
163 children drowned in either a spa or pool this summer. Many times parents will feel safe leaving their child swimming with friends unattended because they take swimming lessons, or swim competitively, but remember that accidents, dehydration, leg cramps, or any other unexpected issues can occur and take even an experienced swimmer by surprise. A simple solution: Do not leave your child unsupervised in a pool, ever!
Drowning Statistic #2
Drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs. Dr. Pia says drowning doesn’t look like drowning and described the response you should take. This window of time is the only point at which they can be rescued. This is why its so important to have someone always watching the water if anyone is swimming, and why we suggest that hiring a lifeguard for any events with more people is a good idea. Safety and preventative measures are key to making sure everyone is safe to the best of your ability.
Drowning Statistic #3
Drowning is the #1 cause of death for children between the ages of 1-4 years old. If you have a pool in your backyard, make sure that you take the time to childproof it by setting up barriers, fences, locks, and sturdy pool covers. Don’t forget that little kids can also drown in very shallow water, it only takes two inches.
Drowning Statistic #4
It takes only a couple of inches of water in a bathtub to drown a child. Little kids, toddlers, and infants don’t have great balance on land, let alone the water. If they roll over or fall into the water with their face submerged, they can inhale water and drown. Be wary of bathtubs, deep puddles, and any other shallow water. Read up on at home water safety.
Drowning Statistic #5
Most people do not yell or make noise above the water when they are drowning. In pop culture references, you see the drowning person as someone who yells for help and flails in the water making huge splashes. This is not the case at all – in fact, the person is often times almost completely submerged with only their hands breaking the surface in a weak attempt to grab the air. To someone standing on the side, it would look like the person is climbing an invisible ladder. Drowning statistics are high and common because people don’t know what signs to look for. Learn about the eight quiet signs of drowning as a preventative measure.
Drowning Statistic #6
Not all survivors of a near drowning experience return to full brain functionality. At worst, a person might literally suffer from brain death and upon being resuscitated will not be able to wake up. When we breathe the oxygen gets transferred to our blood, which delivers it to the brain. In this way, the brain normally takes up about 20 percent of the body’s oxygen. If it doesn’t get what it needs, cells begin dying off, putting a person at risk of permanent brain damage. If a person suffers involuntary oxygen deprivation like the one caused by drowning in water, they’ll ultimately suffer brain death: the utter, irreversible loss of brain function. It only takes a few minutes for oxygen deprivation to cause the death of brain cells, which is why CPR is such a life-saving skill to know!
Learn the basics of CPR or get CPR certified to prevent your loved ones from becoming drowning statistics. You’ll be able to save their lives in the event that you find yourself alone (like at home) or far away from a lifeguard on the beach.
Drowning Statistic #7
More than half of the children who drown, do so in their home swimming pools. Want to learn how you can make your swimming pool safer for your little ones? Read our post on 10 Safety Tips for Your Pool.