Drowning is a leading cause of death for children, especially for young children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In response to the statistics, AdventHealth Tampa has launched a new swim safety initiative, giving out neon-colored swim safety lanyards and whistles in the pediatric unit and pediatric emergency room, just ahead of Spring Break for most Tampa Bay area kids, according to a news release.
Dr. Sara Kirby, medical director of the AdventHealth Tampa Pediatric Emergency Department, has led the initiative with the goal to increase swim safety awareness and designate a responsible adult during pool activities.
“Most of the drowning and near-drowning incidents we see in the emergency room are from pools,” said Dr. Kirby in the release. “We often hear a lot of, ‘I thought he was watching’ or ‘I thought she was watching.’ But it’s important to remember that if it’s everyone’s job, it’s no one’s job.”
The neon-colored safety lanyards serve as a physical, visible reminder of who is in charge at the pool, beach or any body of water.
“They will help you know who’s watching the children at any given moment,” the medical director said. “Then, if that person needs a break, they can hand the lanyard off to another adult.”
Dr. Kirby shares these additional tips for swim safety:
Take swimming lessons. From an early age, kids need to understand how to be safe around water. Pools can pose a powerful temptation for young children and it’s crucial they know what to do. Swim lessons can help. Check with the Red Cross, YMCA and other local organizations that may offer swim lessons for all ages.
Never rely on flotation devices (or even life jackets) to save a child. These aids should be viewed as just that — aids. These tools cannot be relied on to save a child from drowning.
Don’t leave children unattended in a body of water. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bathtub or a pool, never walk away while your little one is playing in the water, even for a few moments.
Know what to do in an emergency. If a child slips underwater and stays there for a while, or another water-related emergency occurs, you should know what to do: Call 911 and perform CPR if needed. Even if the child is awake and appears fine, call 911 so a medical provider can make sure they are OK.
These tips can easily apply to not only pools, but oceans, lakes or ponds.
“There’s water just about everywhere in Florida, so anything we can do to raise awareness and education around swim safety, especially heading into the spring and summer seasons, is the goal,” said Kirby.
Published March 13, 2024
