Prevent deaths from drowning with pool safety

SWIMMING is good sport enjoyed by the young and old alike. Unfortunately, this popular pastime is also responsible for many deaths all over the world.

In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there were 3,582 fatal drownings or an average of 10 deaths a day in 2005. Although deaths have decreased in recent years, they still continue to this day. The usual victims are males who are four times more likely than females to die from unintentional drownings.

Almost 30 percent of children aged one to four who died during that period were victims of drowning according to the CDC. For every child who died from drowning, four others received emergency treatment for nonfatal submersion injuries. Many nonfatal drownings result in irreversible brain damage that causes memory problems and learning disabilities among others.

“Although drowning rates have slowly declined, fatal drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages one to 14 years,” the CDC said. It identified the major risk factors for drowning as follows:

Absence of barriers and poor supervision – sadly, children aged one to four years often drowned in residential pools and were killed in their very own homes. This happened when barriers like pool fencing and other pool accessories were absent or inadequate. Ironically, the victims drowned when one or both parents were home and they were out of sight for less than five minutes.

“Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children,” the CDC said.

Alcohol abuse – in adolescents and adults, alcohol was responsible for up to half of all drowning deaths. This is not surprising since alcohol affects balance, coordination and judgment. Sun exposure and heat also increase the effects of alcohol which make drowning a real threat to anyone who drinks and dives.

“Avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, boating, or water skiing. Do not drink alcohol while supervising children. Learn to swim. Be aware that the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend swimming classes as the primary means of drowning prevention for children younger than 4. Constant, careful supervision and barriers such as pool fencing are necessary even when children have completed swimming classes,” the CDC added.

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National Press Club and Philippine Dental Association awardee George Nava True II is the author of two bestsellers and the only Filipino member of the National Council Against Health Fraud Inc., one of the largest anti-quackery organizations in the United States. He currently does SEO work including web content writing and video blogging for several American clients. Got a health problem? Get the facts. E-mail georgenavatrue@yahoo.com or text 09209831587./PN