Drowning Remains Serious Risk Going Into Summer

Summer is here and people will be heading to the beach and pools for some fun and relief from the heat. However, the water poses many risks, especially drownings.

Dr. Leila Yoonessi, a pediatric pulmonologist at Dignity Health St. Mary Medical Center, encourages parents to be on hyper alert, especially this time of year when water activities are encouraged for both a fun time with family and friends and as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Locally-based YMCAs offer everything from personal private classes to group classes for a wide range of swim safety activities from infant ages three to six months to seniors. Sadly, many children and adults jump into water unprepared or with lack of qualified supervision, often resulting with disastrous outcomes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, each year, about 4,000 people drown in the United States; drowning kills more children 1 to 4 years of age than anything except birth defects. Every day, approximately ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger and drowning now ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. A person who survives drowning may also suffer lasting consequences like brain damage.

“The main factors that affect drowning risk are lack of swimming ability, lack of barriers to prevent unsupervised water access, lack of close supervision while swimming, location, failure to wear life jackets, alcohol use, and seizure disorders,” Dr. Yoonessi says. “Barriers, such as pool fencing, can prevent young children from gaining access to the pool area without caregivers’ awareness, and a four-sided isolation fence separating the pool area from the house and yard reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing.”

Dr. Yoonessi added, “Children should not wear arm floatation devices in lieu of safe swimming. Parents are often lulled into a false sense of security with these and children will often take on more water than those learning to swim with basic swim practices. As long as you practice water safety, pay close attention to your kids after swimming, and get them checked out if you notice any signs of trouble breathing.”

For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries. More than 50% of drowning victims treated in Emergency Departments will require hospitalization or transfer for further care. These nonfatal drowning injuries can also cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning. Dr. Yoonessi adds, “I also encourage all parents, guardians and caretakers to know basic CPR care and wherever water is present, be vigilant and watchful, it only takes a few moments for an accident to occur.”