The following is the fifth in a series of articles submitted by the USMA Safety Office offering tips and information on ways to keep safe during the active summer season. The second leading cause for unintentional death of children 14 and under is drowning. Most of these incidents occurred in residential swimming pools, however children may drown in as little as one inch of water. They are at risk in wading pools, bathtubs, buckets and hot tubs. Typically, drowning occurs quickly and quietly when there is a lapse in supervision.
Children can lose consciousness in two minutes following submersion.
A child can drown in the time it takes to answer the doorbell or phone. It is critical that they be properly fitted and used as instructed. When lifted at the shoulders, the jacket should not give more than three inches. If it does, it is too big. Keep dives simple and have a buddy nearby.