More signs of drowning to watch for when people are in the water – no Matter the age of the person:
When children are playing….the water makes noise
When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.
- Head is low in the water, mouth at water level
- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Eyes are glassy and empty, unable to focus
- Eyes closed
- Hair over forehead or eyes
- Not using legs—in vertical position
- Hyperventilating or gasping
- Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
- Trying to roll over on the back
- Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder
- Cannot respond to you when you ask if they are OK
- Quiet
So if you are on a boat and a person falls overboard and everything looks OK—don’t be too sure. If a child in the pool seems to be just treading water…call out to see if they are OK….if they can answer….they probably are. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck or sky.
If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them.
Don’t think that just because a child has had swim lessons and swims like a fish, or the pool is full of teens or adults that you do not need to watch them. 5 children have died already in Arizona this year so far, more than we have had in years past.
REMEMBER: The ABC’s of Pool Safety! ALWAYS ACTIVE Adult Supervision: BARRIER..have a pool fence with a Self-Locking/Self-Latching Gate and never swim without a BUDDY: CLASSES…Swim and CPR Classes for all.
To save lives it takes everyone to be on the watch. Don’t expect the person next you is watching or knows what to look for. If we each make it our responsibility and, not the other person’s, lives will not be lost! Let us all make a difference!
HAPPY AND SAFE SWIMMING TO ALL
For More Information on Pool and Water Safety, Pool Fences and Childproofing Contact
Arizona Childproofers at 480-634-7366
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