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Drowning Prevention Tip Card
Drowning Prevention Fact Sheet

Drowning

Several factors put young children at high risk for drowning. Young children are physically top-heavy, active, curious and impulsive. They are also too young to understand that pools and standing water can be dangerous. Children under the age of five years do not struggle in the water. They can drown without making a sound.

Most drownings involving young children occur in residential settings. Most pool and spa drownings or near drownings occur when adults are present and engaged in routine activities. Most child drowning victims were last seen indoors or outdoors away from the pool and under the supervision of a responsible adult. Children under age one often drown in bathtubs, buckets, or toilets as well.

Older children are succeptible to drowning injuries and deaths as well. Adolescents in Virginia drown almost exclusively in natural bodies of water such as rivers and lakes, while engaged in a sport or recreations.

It is estimated that for every child who drowns, three receive emergency department care for non-fatal submersion injuries. Nonfatal incidents can cause brain damage that result in long-term disabilities ranging from memory problems and learning disabilities to the permanent loss of basic functioning (i.e. permanent vegetative state).

Virginia Drowning Statistics 2006

• There were 110 deaths due to drowning in Virginia in 2006, for a rate of 1.44 per 100,000.
• Drowning/Submersion was the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death.
• ust over one half (54%) of deaths were in natural water, 28% were in swimming pools and bathtubs.
  
• There were 13 suicide deaths from drowning/submersion.
• Males were 3 times more likely than females to die from drowning.
• There were 35 hospitalizations for drowning/submersion injuries for a rate of 0.46 per 100,000.
• The median cost was $11,954 per episode of care, with an average length of stay of 5 days.
• Males were almost 3 times more likely to be hospitalized as a result of drowning than females.
• Drowning/submersion injury hospitalizations had a 11% fatality rate.
• Almost half (49%) of unintentional drowning/submersion hospitalizations were for children under the age of 14.

News & Events

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act:

On December 19, 2007, the President signed into law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The Act promotes the safe use of pools, spas and hot tubs by imposing mandatory federal requirements for suction entrapment.  For a quick overview of the new legislation, read the Summary Analysis of the Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.

Keep Your Family Safe in Summertime Water Fun – VDH, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention Informational Alert

Water Watcher Kits available to Aquatic Professionals:

Help parents and caregivers become Water Watchers and prevent drowning.  A Water Watcher is the adult on duty who is responsible for actively supervising children in and around water.  A Water Watcher wears an “official” tag and whistle when supervising children at the pool or in open water.  To receive Water Watcher kits for your consumers, complete and then mail or fax the Water Watcher Kit Order Form.

Prevention Tips

Swimming pools

It is estimated that the widespread use of pool fencing would prevent 50-90 percent of pediatric pool drownings and near-drownings. Although a fence separating the pool and spa is the single most effective barrier for preventing childhood drownings, not one method alone is totally effective in preventing unintentional drownings. Pool owners can take practical steps to make their pools and spas less dangerous by installing "layers of protection".

• A non-climbable, five-foot fence that separates the pool/spa from the residence. Fence openings should be no more than four inches wide so children cannot squeeze through the spaces.
• The area adjacent to the outside of the fence must be free of objects which may aid children in climbing over the fence. These include items such as chairs, tables, tree branches, etc.
• The fence gate should be self-closing and self-latching with latches above a child's reach.
• All doors and windows leading to the pool should always be secured and locked at all times.
• Additional "layers of protection" include safety covers, alarms on doors and motion-detection devices.
• Remember pool cov
• ers, gates and other layers of protection do not replace adult supervision.

For more information on layers of protection, view the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals’ Layers of Protection brochure

Adult Supervision

Water with its rippling, shimmering appeal is a magnet for children. Children under the age of five have no fear of water and no concept of death. They associate water with play not with danger. Therefore, adults play a crucial role in ensuring that children remain safe in and around water.

• Never leave a child alone near a pool/spa, bathtub, toilet, water filled bucket, pond or any standing body of water in which a child's nose and mouth may be submersed. Make sure an adult is always present.
• Assign an adult "Water Watcher" to supervise the pool/spa area or any other body of water, especially during social gatherings. A Water Watcher is the adult on duty who is responsible for actively supervising children in and around water.  A Water Watcher is:
• Is Alert
• Knows where the children are at all times
• Knows how to swim
• Knows CPR
• Keeps a telephone nearby
• Understands that the Life Guard is not the supervisor
• Knows what to do when a child is in trouble
• Avoids distractions
• Makes sure there is always a Water Watcher on duty before taking breaks
• Never rely on flotation devices or swimming lessons to protect a child. Twenty-five percent of all drowning victims have had swimming lessons.
• Don't allow children to play in the pool/spa area. Never keep toys around or in a pool.
• Look in the pool area first if a child is missing. It may save valuable seconds.
• Empty buckets, pails, and bathtubs completely after each use.
• Never leave a baby in the tub even for a second. Most siblings are not old enough to properly supervise a young child in this situation.

Be Prepared

• Mount rescue equipment by the pool such as a lifesaving ring, shepherd's hook, and a CPR sign.
  
• Post 9-1-1 emergency phone number on all phones. Have phone near pool area.
  
• Insist anyone over 14 years of age have current CPR in infant/child safety.
  
• Communicate pool safety measures with the baby-sitter and train the sitter in CPR.
• Think through an emergency action plan before it is needed.

Outdoor Recreation

• Avoid swimming after dark
• Be aware of local weather conditions prior to engaging in recreational water activities.
• Avoid weak or thawing ice on any body of water.
• Childhood drowning in rural areas often occurs in non-pool settings, such as natural bodies of water and irrigation canals.
• Risk for drowning increases in muddy water of lakes, ponds, and rivers.
• Canals and rivers pose increased risk of drowning for immigrant children in agricultural areas.
• Use the buddy system when swimming or boating
• Take a boating safety class before operating a boat or personal watercraft.
• Require all persons to wear Coast Guard approved personal-flotation devices when involved in water-related recreational activities, regardless of swimming ability
• Remember, diving into shallow water causes spinal injuries. Never allow diving in above ground pools, shallow water, or unknown areas.
• Never leave children unattended around any body of water.
• Be aware of streams, creeks, ponds, ditches, etc., that may be located on or near your property.
• Encourage older children and adolescents to learn how to swim, but remember even good swimmers can drown. Swimming lessons are no substitute for supervision of young children.
• Teach children and adolescents to avoid conditions or situations which could create the potential for danger, e.g., swimming in nonpublic, restricted or isolated areas, or swimming in areas with strong, unstable, or turbulent currents.
• Heed colored beach warning flags.
• Watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip currents (e.g. water that is discolored and choppy, foamy, or filled with debris). If you are caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore; once free of the current, swim toward shore.

Alcohol Use

Alcohol influences balance, coordination, and judgment, and its effects are heightened by sun exposure and heat. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines sometimes cause drowsiness or have other side effects. If you are taking medicine, check with your doctor before engaging in water activities.

Drowning PSA Radio Script

PARENTS, DID YOU KNOW DROWNING IS A LEADING CAUSE OF INJURY DEATH TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FIVE? PREVENT YOUR BABY OR TODDLER FROM BEING PART OF THIS STATISTIC. KEEP COMMON HAZARDS SUCH AS BATHTUBS, 5-GALLON BUCKETS, TOILETS, HOT TUBS, SINKS, FISH TANKS, POOLS, AND EVEN COOLERS AWAY FROM YOUR BABY. THEY CAN DROWN WITHOUT MAKING A SOUND AND IN AS LITTLE AS ONE INCH OF WATER! NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE NEAR WATER. SHOW BABIES THAT THEY ARE LOVED EVEN WHEN NOT IN YOUR ARMS…MAKE THEIR ENVIRONMENT SAFE.

A MESSAGE FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S CENTER FOR INJURY AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION. LEARN MORE ON THEIR WEBSITE AT vahealth.org/civp.

Drowning PSA Television Ad

Recently, the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention developed and launched a series of television PSA’s targeting parents and caregivers.  The television ads reinforce the importance of active supervision of young children by parents and caregivers as a key injury prevention measure.  Drowning, burns, poisoning, and playground safety ads were created to alert parents to be mindful during day-to-day activities such as talking on phones, conversing with others, watching TV, doing household tasks, as well as other activities that may distract them long enough to allow a young child to encounter a very hazardous situation. The ads remind parents and caregivers to make supervision a priority at these critical moments.   The drowning PSA highlights the importance of active supervision during bath time.  To view the Drowning PSA or the other television ads, visit www.preventinjuriesva.com.

Drowning Prevention Resources

The VDH, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention has a limited number of Water Watcher Kits available at no cost to aquatic professionals.  A Water Watcher is the adult on duty who is responsible for actively supervising children in and around water.  A Water Watcher wears an “official” tag and whistle when supervising children at the pool or in open water.  To receive Water Watcher kits for your consumers, complete and then mail or fax the Water Watcher Kit Order Form.

• Drowning Prevention Fact Sheet from VDH, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention
• For ideas on hosting a Water Safety Day Event in your community, visit the Virginia Water Safety Coalition at www.watersafety.org 
• Drowning Prevention Packet for Professionals - The Drowning Prevention professional resource packet contains material relevant to injury control or health promotion efforts related to youth and drowning-related injuries. Components of the packet are intended to provide professionals with relevant injury facts, suggestions for preventive actions, and examples of drowning prevention programs. The packet contains Fact Sheet - Rural Youth Drowning; Resources - Selected Drowning Prevention Information Sources; Selected Drowning Prevention Programs; Drowning Prevention Strategies; Farm Pond Safety; Rural Youth Drowning Response Form.  The resource packet was created by the Children's Safety Network at www.childrenssafetynetwork.org.
• The North American Safe Boating Campaign provides safe boating information intended to be used during National Safe Boating Week (May 21- May 27, 2005). The campaign focuses on personal flotation devices (pfd). Resources available include posters, stickers, and pamphlets. For more information, see the campaign website at www.safeboatingcampaign.com
• To determine your level of drowning prevention knowledge visit www.sosnet.com/safety/current.stories/link.to.questionnaire.html
• US Consumer Product Safety Commission Drowning Prevention Publications
  www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/chdrown.html
• For additional drowning prevention information visit the US Life Saving Association at www.usla.org or the American Red Cross at www.redcross.org.

Visit www.vahealth.org/civp/pubscivp.asp to view and order tip cards on this and other injury and violence prevention topics.