Water Death
Over 1,500 children and teens die every year in the U.S. from drowning. They are swimming, boating, or just playing in or near water. In the United States, drowning is the second leading cause of death (after motor vehicle crashes) in children 14 and younger. Children have drowned in wading pools and even bath tubs. The rate of drowning in the United States suffers 6,500 drownings or around 1 per 50,000 of population. Drowning related injuries are the fifth most likely cause of accidental death in the US. In some regions, drowning is the second most likely cause of injury (because of access to water) and death for children after car accidents.
What is Drowning?
Drowning is death caused by suffocation when a liquid causes interruption of the body's absorption of oxygen from the air leading to asphyxia. The primary cause of death is hypoxia and acidosis leading to cardiac arrest.
Cardiac Arrest and Death
The brain cannot survive long without oxygen and the continued lack of oxygen in the blood combined with cardiac arrest will lead to the deterioration of brain cells causing first brain damage (the destruction or degeneration of brain cells) and eventually brain death (brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity - including involuntary activity necessary to sustain life) from which recovery is generally considered impossible. A lack of oxygen or chemical changes in the lungs may cause the heart to stop beating; this cardiac arrest (the abrupt cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract) stops the flow of blood and thus stops the transport of oxygen to the brain. Cardiac arrest used to be the traditional point of death but at this point there is still a chance of recovery. The brain will die after approximately six minutes without oxygen but special conditions may prolong this as in cold water drowning.
Accidental Drowning Prevention
Pool Fencing
There is no federal pool fence law currently in place within the United States. However, several states, including Florida, California, and Arizona, have created their own individual pool fence laws. Some counties have pool fence laws where no state law currently exists. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has developed a model barrier code for residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs; this code has been approved by the American National Standards Institute.
Life Jackets
Life jackets are very important for both children and adults when boating (and for young children at swimming pools). You may say “I know how to swim, do I still need a life jacket in open waters?” Yes, unlike the calm waters of a pool, open water (such as floating the Boise River) can have dangers such as cold temperature, currents, rapid changes in depth, weeds and grasses or jagged rocks. There may be no place for a cold, tired or panicked swimmer to rest. These dangers are a real threat to even the best swimmers. Purchase properly fitted life jackets for children, teens and adults.
Swimming Lessons
There is some question about the minimal age requirement for swimming lessons. While some parents may feel comfortable supervising a toddler in the shallow end of a pool, experts such as the American Association of Pediatrics suggest that children under the age of four are not developmentally prepared for formal swimming lessons. Parents who enroll their very youngest children in aquatic programs should not be lulled into a false sense of security. Drowning is still a leading cause of death among toddler-aged children, regardless of their experiences with formal swimming lessons. Parents should still be within touching range of their children while in the pool or at the beach.
With children four and older, swimming lessons often combine one of their favorite recreational activities with a natural urge to compare their abilities with others. A young child may enjoy meeting other swimmers his or her age, as well as learning all the different strokes associated with swimming. Swimming lessons often include opportunities to measure personal growth, such as time trials or informal peer-to-peer competitions. For those children who enjoy spending time in the water, swimming lessons may be just as valued as any other organized sport or outside activity.
Canal Safety
Canals deliver water to a large portion of the Treasure Valley. And that is what they are designed for - to efficiently carry water. They are not meant for swimming.
If you are going to walk, jog or bike along the canals, be sure you know how to do so safely. Canals can be very dangerous, so please follow these canal safety tips to avoid drowning or injury:
· Don't swim in canals - ever!
· Keep a safe distance from the edge of the canals.
· Canal sides are extremely slick, making it difficult to get out.
· Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and tubing are not allowed on the canals.
· Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the canal banks.
· Stay away from automated equipment at water delivery gates.
· Never jump in to rescue pets or objects such as toys. Call 911 for help
Resources:
http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/
http://www.cityofboise.org/Parks/Activities/Pools/page29327.aspx
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drown.htm
Water Death
Over 1,500 children and teens die every year in the U.S. from drowning. They are swimming, boating, or just playing in or near water. In the United States, drowning is the second leading cause of death (after motor vehicle crashes) in children 14 and younger. Children have drowned in wading pools and even bath tubs. The rate of drowning in the United States suffers 6,500 drownings or around 1 per 50,000 of population. Drowning related injuries are the fifth most likely cause of accidental death in the US. In some regions, drowning is the second most likely cause of injury (because of access to water) and death for children after car accidents.
What is Drowning?
Drowning is death caused by suffocation when a liquid causes interruption of the body's absorption of oxygen from the air leading to asphyxia. The primary cause of death is hypoxia and acidosis leading to cardiac arrest.
Cardiac Arrest and Death
The brain cannot survive long without oxygen and the continued lack of oxygen in the blood combined with cardiac arrest will lead to the deterioration of brain cells causing first brain damage (the destruction or degeneration of brain cells) and eventually brain death (brain death is the irreversible end of all brain activity - including involuntary activity necessary to sustain life) from which recovery is generally considered impossible. A lack of oxygen or chemical changes in the lungs may cause the heart to stop beating; this cardiac arrest (the abrupt cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract) stops the flow of blood and thus stops the transport of oxygen to the brain. Cardiac arrest used to be the traditional point of death but at this point there is still a chance of recovery. The brain will die after approximately six minutes without oxygen but special conditions may prolong this as in cold water drowning.
Accidental Drowning Prevention
Pool Fencing
There is no federal pool fence law currently in place within the United States. However, several states, including Florida, California, and Arizona, have created their own individual pool fence laws. Some counties have pool fence laws where no state law currently exists. The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals has developed a model barrier code for residential swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs; this code has been approved by the American National Standards Institute.
Life Jackets
Life jackets are very important for both children and adults when boating (and for young children at swimming pools). You may say “I know how to swim, do I still need a life jacket in open waters?” Yes, unlike the calm waters of a pool, open water (such as floating the Boise River) can have dangers such as cold temperature, currents, rapid changes in depth, weeds and grasses or jagged rocks. There may be no place for a cold, tired or panicked swimmer to rest. These dangers are a real threat to even the best swimmers. Purchase properly fitted life jackets for children, teens and adults.
Swimming Lessons
There is some question about the minimal age requirement for swimming lessons. While some parents may feel comfortable supervising a toddler in the shallow end of a pool, experts such as the American Association of Pediatrics suggest that children under the age of four are not developmentally prepared for formal swimming lessons. Parents who enroll their very youngest children in aquatic programs should not be lulled into a false sense of security. Drowning is still a leading cause of death among toddler-aged children, regardless of their experiences with formal swimming lessons. Parents should still be within touching range of their children while in the pool or at the beach.
With children four and older, swimming lessons often combine one of their favorite recreational activities with a natural urge to compare their abilities with others. A young child may enjoy meeting other swimmers his or her age, as well as learning all the different strokes associated with swimming. Swimming lessons often include opportunities to measure personal growth, such as time trials or informal peer-to-peer competitions. For those children who enjoy spending time in the water, swimming lessons may be just as valued as any other organized sport or outside activity.
Canal Safety
Canals deliver water to a large portion of the Treasure Valley. And that is what they are designed for - to efficiently carry water. They are not meant for swimming.
If you are going to walk, jog or bike along the canals, be sure you know how to do so safely. Canals can be very dangerous, so please follow these canal safety tips to avoid drowning or injury:
· Don't swim in canals - ever!
· Keep a safe distance from the edge of the canals.
· Canal sides are extremely slick, making it difficult to get out.
· Swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing and tubing are not allowed on the canals.
· Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the canal banks.
· Stay away from automated equipment at water delivery gates.
· Never jump in to rescue pets or objects such as toys. Call 911 for help
Resources:
http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/
http://www.cityofboise.org/Parks/Activities/Pools/page29327.aspx
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/drown.htm