Protect Your Family at the Pool with These Drowning Safety Tips

According to a recent report from Slate, “In 10% of drownings, adults are nearby but have no idea the victim is dying.” That’s a relatively high percentage of what should be preventable. In fact, every year, an estimated 236,000 people drown.

Drowning is the second leading cause of “unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14,” according to data from the CDC, and data from 2021 prove that summer months (June, July, and August) are the deadliest for drownings.

Why is it the case? Because the victim’s body is focused on breathing and can’t always call out or wave for help. Many who are drowning can’t stop drowning or move toward a rescuer.

“The reason why we say there’s no one single means of preventing drowning entirely is because all of these layers can break down and the supervision layer can break down quite easily,” Adam Katchmarchis, an assistant professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and executive director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, told USA TODAY. “With just a 20 to 30 second lapse in supervision, a drowning can take place.”

Drowning may not look the way we see in the movies. Usually, there aren’t flailing arms or cries for help; instead, it’s essential to look for other signs that can save a life. Mario Vittone, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard veteran and an expert in lifesaving, says that these are the common signs of drowning:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty
• Eyes closed
• Hair over the forehead or eyes
• Vertical position—not using legs
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder

Some other tips from SafeWise experts include:

• Teach water safety.
• Get swim education early.
• Always supervise children around the water.
• Fence off swimming pools and keep them locked.
• Be aware of less obvious dangers around the home.
• Keep bath time safe.
• Use motion sensors at an outdoor home pool.

Summertime in the water should be fun, and with these tools for drowning prevention, you can help the water be a safe place for everyone.

• Drowning Prevention Guide
• Prevent Pool Disasters With These Top Pool Safety Products
• How Can I Keep My Child Safe in the Pool or at a Lake?
• What Should I Do If My Child Slips Under the Water?
• Most Common vs. Most Feared Household Accidents