“Dry Drowning” Another Reason To Monitor Children’s Safety in Swimming Pools
June 7th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
The beginning of swim season seems tragically marked each year by a rise in child injuries or deaths in pools. Kids always rush to the water when the swimming pools open and school’s out. We as parents and adults must be vigilant every summer in reminding our children that safety is always first, and monitoring their time in the pool. But this story from South Carolina (USA) shocked me because it’s such a little known danger - “dry drowning”. A 10 year old boy went swimming in a public pool and at some point got water in his lungs. He walked home conversing with his mom and sister, took a bath and feeling tired, went to bed. He died an hour later - drowned by the water he’d inhaled at the pool. Apparently in some people, there can be a delayed reaction to inhaling water; as much as 24 hours.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), some 3,600 people drowned in 2005, the most recent year for which there are statistics. Some 10 to 15 percent of those deaths w[ere] classified as “dry drowning,” which can occur up to 24 hours after a small amount of water gets into the lungs.
According to the story, three important signs of dry drowning are difficulty breathing, extreme tiredness and changes in behavior. People affected may not exhibit them all; in this case, the boy did not have trouble breathing at first, he was walking and speaking. In children the signs may be so subtle that unless you know what to look for they will be completely missed. I know I would have had no clue. Now when my small nephews visit me next, I will be more aware of their behavior during and after swimming. Hey, this could even happen to adults, too. I hope this story helps all to recognize and prevent dry drowning; it could mean the difference between life and death. For more information on drowning statistics and prevention methods, visit the CDC’s safety website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drown.htm.
Boy’s death highlights a hidden danger: Dry drowning - MSNBC.com
Boy dies after swallowing swimming pool water - AP
Technorati Tags: breathing, child, children, delayed reaction, drowning, dry, fatigue, inhaled, kid, kids, lungs, pool, prevention, safety, swimming, tiredness, water
Related Tags: breathing, child, delayed reaction, drowning, dry, fatigue, inhaled, kid, kids, lungs, pool, prevention, safety, safety tips, swimming, swimming pool, swimming pool safety, tiredness, toddler, water, youth
Pool Safety Tips To Keep Your Children Safe
May 14th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Pool Safety Tips Keep Everyone’s Head Above Water
Around where I live the public pools officially open on Memorial Day. But already there have been several reports of children and youth drowning this year. One tragedy occurred at a private party at an indoor pool/waterpark. A young girl was in trouble and lifeguards raced to save her. While all were occupied with her rescue, her younger brother drowned on the other side of the pool. Yet another tragedy happened at a home pool. Mom, Dad and kids drove a long way to visit Grandma, who has a backyard pool. Exhausted parents and kids were crashed in bed. Grandma went out for an errand while folks slept - but apparently left the back door unlocked, never thinking that the toddler might wake up and slip out the door while everyone else was still sleeping…. Another child dead in a needless pool accident.
”A supervised child is in sight at all times with your undivided attention focused on the child [emphasis added]. When there are children in or near the water, adults should take turns serving as the designated ‘water watcher’ paying undivided attention.”
Parents and grandparents, you must watch your kids every second around water. All the floatation devices, pool alarms and fences in the world will not work unless you are constantly vigilant. Note that the pool party accident occured while lifeguards were on duty. It was distraction that contributed to the boy’s death. Drowning is the second leading cause of death among kids age 14 or younger. It doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s a great article listing important pool safety tips, courtesy of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Safe Kids Georgia. Please take heed for a safer summer.
Technorati Tags: children, safety tips, swimming pool, swimming pool safety, toddler, youth
Related Tags: breathing, child, delayed reaction, drowning, dry, fatigue, inhaled, kid, kids, lungs, pool, prevention, safety, safety tips, swimming, swimming pool, swimming pool safety, tiredness, toddler, water, youth
