Summer Water Safety Advice to Save Lives

Long Island’s beaches and pools are the ideal places for summertime fun. But along with swimming, body surfing or paddling around come real dangers — including the risk for drowning. Dr. Jaqueline Bober and Kristi Ladowski, both advocates for drowning prevention, discuss steps you can take to keep yourself, your family and friends safe all summer long.

Do I need to be concerned about drowning?
Yes! Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury and death for children ages one to four. Approximately 70% of all drownings in this age group occur when the child was not expected to be in the water or during non-swim times — such as playing with buckets of water. Drowning can occur in as little as two inches of water. Adults are also at risk of drowning. According to the CDC, nearly 5,000 people die from drowning in the US each year.

What is the single most important thing to know about water safety for children?
Watchful eyes are the best way to spot someone in danger. To always keep an active eye on children, institute a designated “water watcher” system where you assign one person to keep an eye on the pool or ocean and rotate the assignment every 20 minutes to keep watchers fresh. The watchers should be sober and free of distractions (not on a cellphone).

What other safety precautions can I follow?
Check dangers at home or when visiting before allowing your child to go near a pool and water. Be sure to educate yourself and your family with swimming lessons for children (and adults who don’t know how to swim) and with CPR training. 
In addition:

• Install fencing around pools. Fencing prevents over half of swimming pool drownings in young children.
• Empty water containers. After every use, completely empty buckets, kiddie pools and any other water container.
• Keep toys out of the pool during non-swim times. This helps to ensure that children aren’t tempted to enter the pool to retrieve a toy.
• Install multiple barriers. In addition to fences, install door locks and alarms.

Do you have any other safety precautions?

• Use “touch” supervision by staying within arms distance of young children.
• Keep a phone with you at the pool or beach in order to call 911. Otherwise stay off the phone while children are in or near the water.
• Teach children to never swim alone.
• Lock safety covers on hot tubs and spas when not in use. If a drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the spa until the drain cover is repaired. 

Finally, even if a lifeguard is present, never assume that he or she will serve as your eyes.

What are important safety tips for adult swimmers?
Even strong swimmers are at risk of drowning. Always:

• Use the buddy system by having another adult present in case of an emergency.
• Swim and boat sober. Alcohol and other drugs can impair judgment and slow your reflexes.
• Be aware that medications that affect your balance or coordination could put you at greater risk of drowning.
• Take extra precaution if you have certain medical conditions that affect the brain or heart. Seizures and arrhythmia, for example, could increase your risk of drowning.

What should you do if someone is drowning?
If you can’t safely get the person onto land, immediately call for help. Otherwise:

• Get the person out of the water and begin CPR immediately.
• Enlist the aid of a lifeguard (if one is present).
• Ask someone to call 911. 
• Note: If you’re alone, begin CPR for 2 minutes and then call 911.

With near drowning, the victim suffers oxygen deprivation, which can cause long-term brain damage. In these cases, every minute counts. Whenever possible, the victim should be taken to a Level 1 Trauma Center or the nearest emergency room.

Learn more at stonybrookmedicine.edu/news/summersafety.