Summer is approaching and families
will be going on vacation. Glen Dale Volunteer Fire Departments wants to
remind you to be careful around the water.
Remember these Water Safety Tips.
Drowning
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury related
deaths to children ages 14 and under. A temporary lapse in supervision is
a common factor in most drowning incidents and near drowning incidents.
Child drowning can happen in a matter of seconds, in the time it takes to
answer the phone. There is often no splashing to warn of trouble. Children
can drown in small quantities of water and are at risk in their own homes
from wading pools, bathtubs, buckets, diaper pails, and toilets, as well
swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.
Deaths and Injuries
A swimming pool is 14 times more likely than a motor vehicle to be
involved in the death of a child age 4 and under. Of children surviving
near drowning, 5% to 20% suffer severe and permanent disability. Any
person who suffers a near drowning (inhaled water into the lungs) should
seek medical attention right away! High surf at the beach may be exciting,
but it can also be deadly. Don't let children play in rough surf, it can
knock them down and pull them into deeper water. Never swim in the ocean
under Red Flag conditions!
Where Drowning Happens
Approximately 50% of preschooler drowning occurs in residential swimming
pools. Each year 350 drownings (for all ages) occur in bathtubs. Each year
approximately 40 children drown in 5 gallon buckets. In 10 states, Alaska,
Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and
Washington, drowning surpasses all other causes of death to children ages
14 and under. Children can disappear from view and drown at the beach in
only a few seconds. Stay with - and WATCH - your children at the beach!!
Teach your swimmers these four key rules
- Swim with a buddy, never alone.
- Don't dive or jump into unfamiliar water. Always
wade in first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom.
- Don't push or jump on others.
- Be prepared for an emergency.
NOTE: CPR
(Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) can save a child's life in the critical
moments after an accident. Learn CPR. The life you save may be your
child's.
Rip Currents (Undertow)
·
What are rip currents?
Waves pushing water across a sandbar into a channel. Water flows off the
sides of a sandbar and into a channel or trough. This channel or trough is
the path of least resistance for the water to flow back out to the deeper
water or along the shore.
·
What to do if you are caught in a rip current?
o
Don't panic and signal for help, by waving one hand over
head.
o
Tread water for a few seconds to get your bearings.
o
Do not try and swim against the current.
o
Try and swim parallel to the shore in the direction of the
lateral current or wind toward the sandbar.
o
If you are unable to escape by swimming, tread water or
float. Once the current weakens, try swimming at an angle away from the
current, toward the shore.
·
What to do if you see someone caught in a rip current?
o
Notify a Lifeguard.
o
Have someone call 911, give accurate landmarks.
o
Do not get caught in a rip current while trying to save
someone else.
o
Throw them a flotation device. A large percentage of
drownings are good samaritan would be rescuers.
o
Try not to lose sight of the victim
Bad Weather
Get off the beach (if in a boat, get to shore) whenever you see storm
clouds or hear thunder. It can strike many miles away from the storm
itself. Storms offshore can cause dangerous swimming conditions.
|
