At Life Saver Pool Fence, we always stress the importance of using layers of protection. Although a pool fence is an excellent first line of defense, it is crucial that a responsible adult is always actively supervising any children who are in the pool area. With this in mind, researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have recently published a module that recommends extra adult supervision near the water.
Active supervision is always a cornerstone of a water safety, but that isn’t the end of the story. Read on to learn more about what this new research means for children and water safety.
Active Supervision is Crucial in Preventing Tragic Drownings
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children aged four and under, and many of these incidents occur while the children are under adult supervision.
Overall, there are an estimated 4,000 drownings every year in the United States. Shockingly, that is an average of 11 deaths per day. Kids need a bit more attention when it comes to water safety.
Try as they might, it is quite possible for a well-intentioned adult to become distracted. Unfortunately, drowning tends to be much quieter than it seems in television and movies. The fact is that children playing in, or even near, the water require the undivided attention of a dedicated active supervisor.
To ensure the safety of children in the water, it’s important for the supervising adult to eliminate any potential distractions and maintain a close watch on the swimmers. For infants and toddlers, the supervisor should always be within arm’s reach. When it comes to older kids, close active supervision is still necessary. Overall, extra adult supervision near the water is always important.
Extra Adult Supervision Near the Water?
As mentioned above, a recent study published in Pediatrics, suggests even further safety measures. Extra adult supervision near the water is critical. Typically, the conventional wisdom for preventing drowning emphasizes three measures: attention, proximity, and continuity. However, this study proposes a fourth dimension: competency.
In a nutshell, aside from having adult supervision near the water, the active supervisor must be able to swim and rescue a drowning child, and know how to perform CPR if necessary. Both swimming competency and becoming CPR certified are frequent layers of safety we recommend at Life Saver Pool Fence as well. After all, knowing is half the battle when it comes to drowning danger. A little bit of extra knowledge can go a long way.
Understanding the Drowning Chain of Survival
In addition to these four measures, the research stresses that adults watching kids must also understand the Drowning Chain of Survival. In a nutshell, this chain calls for the watcher to:
- recognize distress
- safely rescue distressed swimmers by providing means of flotation either from waterside or, if necessary, by swimming to the child
- remove the child from the water
- provide initial care, including CPR, if the child is not breathing
- call for emergency medical services
When it comes to the Drowning Chain of Survival, the fourth dimension of competency mentioned above is critical in preventing multi-victim drowning incidents, as young children may unintentionally pull rescuers underwater. While attention, proximity, and continuity remain important factors in supervising children, the fourth dimension of competency is essential in preventing drownings in aquatic environments.
Parents and caregivers should recognize the importance of gaining basic water safety knowledge. Proper training for child safety can save lives. With a bit of care and some extra adult supervision near the water, pools and other bodies of water can be much less dangerous.
