There have been a few drownings in backyard pools the past few weeks. Many of us own pools, or have neighbors that do. More importantly, we are in the backyards in our towns all of the time on calls, and have the opportunity to review pool safety with the members of our community. So, while my kids and wife are hogging the TV, here are some principles of pool safety for yourself and your community.
There are two age groups that primarily have drownings this time of year. One is adolescents aged 15-19, who drown mostly due to alcohol abuse and increased risk taking behavior. The EtOH limits their abilities. Obviously, the way to prevent this is to teach re: substance abuse, risk taking, other parenting skills, etc.
The second age group are toddlers, age 2-6. These are kids who drown in the backyard pool (their own or their next door neighbor). The story I get from parents all of the time is "I just turned my back for a second". A little bit of prevention can go a long way:
1) All houses with backyard pools should have 4-sided fencing. This is law for new pool consturction in most villages/towns on LI. By 4-sided fencing, that means the house cannot act as the 4th side of the fence -- there has to be actual fence on all 4 sides. The fence should have a spring-loaded self-latching gate (a 4 sided fence with an open gate helps no one). Do not keep chairs against the fence -- 5 year olds are resourceful little buggers, and will use the chair to climb over the fence.
2) Pool alarms (activate when the surface of the pool is distrubed) or pool covers. Warning: non-mesh pool covers can collect water; I have taken care of a kid who drowned in one of these in the fall after the pool was closed.
3) A hook to pull a child out of the water who is struggling.
4) The windows along the back of the house should all have an obstructed view of the pool. Clear shrubs so that you can see the pool clearly.
5) Never let your guard down. Don't be the one who says "I just turned my back for a second". If you are outside with your kids, and the phone rings, let it ring. Better yet, bring a portable phone outside to start with.
Finally, there is the importance of immediate CPR. The most important determinant of survival after a drowning isn't the temperature of the water, but the rapidity with which a pulse/spontaneous circulation is restored. Kids coming to the hospital without a spontaneous pulse have a mortality of 91% (and the 9% who survive are neurologically devastated, despite the temperature of the water, etc). Kids who have CPR done by folks at the pool (before EMS arrival) have a mortality of only about 30%. So teach you families CPR, and get to the call quickly.
Sorry for the discourse, but if it helps one of you to make your yard, or your neghbor's yard, or some yard in your town more safe, than it was worth it.
One item that gets overlooked a lot is backyard fish ponds, some of which are deeper and bigger than some swimming pools, yet no laws exist reguarding them.
Being a pond owner myself, father of a 2 yr old and Uncle of 22 ranging from ages 6 months to 16 yrs old- all the laws in the world are no replacement for supervision.
My son & nieces & newphews love to go and look at the fish in the pond. But, its the only time Dad or Uncle Jim actually yells, that alone stops them in their tracks.
Simple as this-NEVER turn your back on ANY child!
If you wanna be extra-safe, teach your kid how to swim as early as possible. Plenty of places have classes for every age. My 2 yr old son will not be winning any gold medals for the breastroke, but can keep his head up & tread pretty darn good. I hit the "big pool" at Rath Park at 2 1/2 -3 yrs old, a few years later, I was winning ribbons for the Raiders Swim Team.
Had this happen at a pool party attended
host had a b-day/pool party, well a parent dropped their child off, left the party, all kids go outside and go swimming, the host parent did not know that the child could not swim, nor did the parent let the host know that child could not swim, well the child goes over to the deep end where all kids were,and jumped in and sank to bottom, lucky for all another parent was alert and noticed something was wrong, jumped in and removed child ALL OK just a little wet and upset.
some more tips.
1)if having a Pool party, put it on invitaion that you have pool and intend on using it....and if parent is not going to stay can their child SWIM. let someone know.
2) if you are haveing a pool party we know how hectic it can be, HIRE someone to watch the kids while they are in the pool or designate an adult to watch the pool only. You cannot be everywhere at all time and this will aid you as the eyes in the back of your head....
sad that common sense seems to be lost these days, I understand even with close parental supervision these unfortunate accidents still happen, but it just seems that more parents just assume that their kids will know better, and anyone with a little common sense should know that is just not the case.
2 year old drowned in Central Islip yesterday. According to Newsday, Mom was inside the house, thought the 15 year old was watching the little one, and she saw the girl floating on top of the water. You don't get a second chance at this - always watch your kids, never assume someone else is, never let your guard down. (Unfortunately, this will happen a few more times this summer here on LI).
We did a training a year or two ago with the Town of Hempstead at one of their pools here in Levittown. They were very willing to do a training with us and had about 10 life guards there. They showed us how they handle victems and how they operate, so when we get there we have an idea of what they have already done. They also went over some water rescue techniques they use. Its a good idea to think about doing inter agency trainings with them if you have alot of pools or beaches in your district.
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Drowning Prevention/Pool Safety
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