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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWater Safety 2024Water Safety Craig Covey – Division Chief OCFA Division 1 Joe Bailey – Lifeguard Chief Seal Beach Lifeguards 2023 Orange County Drowning Statistics What is Drowning? What is Drowning? The process of respiratory impairment from submersion or immersion in liquid. - World Health Organization Drowning Outcomes: •Fatal •Non-fatal Drowning Risk Factors •Gender •Ethnicity •Age •Lack of Supervision •Lack of Barriers •Swimming Ability •Special Needs Did You Know? In 2023, the total number of drownings in Orange County was 104, down from 111 in 2022 Age Factor: •0-4 years old =35 incidents •5-64 yrs old = 54 incidents •65 and older = 22 incidents Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of 5. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water! Orange County Statistics Orange County Statistics 2023 Drowning Factors: •Lapse in supervision •Lack of Barriers •Medical Issues •Intoxication Time is Important TIME ACTION 20 Seconds Child can become fully submerged in water 30 Seconds Infant can lose consciousness 60 Seconds Adult can become fully submerged in water 2 Minutes Child can lose consciousness 5 Minutes Brain can suffer irreparable damage 10 Minutes Brain death can occur If a child is missing, always check the water first! ABCs of Water Safety Active Adult Supervision Children are within eyesight and reach of the person responsible for their safety. Assign a “Water Watcher” •Sober adult •Able to swim •Watches the water at all times •Avoids social activities, phone calls, reading, cooking, and any other distractions •Rotate every 15-20 mins if possible According to the CDC, 88% of children who drown are under some form of “supervision” Barriers •Isolate pool/spa from home and play areas •Install multiple barriers for protection such as safety covers, self-closing fences, self-latching gates, gate alarms, door alarms, and motion- detection devices •Maintain and check regularly •New Technology 2017 Pool Safety Act now requires 2 of 7 safety features Classes •Learn to swim •Recreational vs. Survival Lessons •Teach and enforce pool safety rules •Learn CPR/AED •Take a first aid class •Learn and practice rescue techniques Pool Safety •Most drownings in children ages 1-4 are occur in pools •69% of drownings of children under the age of 5, they were not expected to be in or near the water •80% of child drownings, the child was last seen safe in the home 5 minutes prior to being found in the pool •66% of clinicians don’t know that drowning deaths are more common than toxic ingestions or firearms There is NO such thing as a SAFE pool Drain Safety •Keep children away to avoid entrapment and entanglement – hair, jewelry, clothing •Keep long hair tied back and remove dangling earrings/necklaces •Install compliant safety drain covers •Install automatic shut-off pump systems •Know where the pool and spa pump switch is and how to turn it on and off Photo courtesy of How Stuff Works Flotation Devices Life vests are recommended for anyone who cannot swim or is not a strong swimmer. •U.S. Coast Guard approved •Specific to age and weight •Comfortably snug •Zippers vs Buckles In open water, life vests are for everyone! Flotation devices are not a substitute for active adult supervision! Additional Water Sources Bathtubs Open Water Boating Drowning Myths Drowning is silent Children and adults drown without a sound MYTH REALITY If a person is drowning:If a person is drowning: They will be screaming for help They will be gasping to breathe Their arms will be up and waving Their arms will be underwater moving to try and keep afloat They will be splashing in the water They will be bobbing in the water with their head tilted back and mouth at water level Top 10 Water Safety Tips 1.Don’t just bring a life vest, wear it 2.Know before you go 3.Stay dry when waves are high 4.Steer clear of the pier 5.Swim near a watchful adult 6.Don’t fight the current 7.Yell for help while you still can 8.Flip, float and follow 9.Save yourself first 10.Be a water watcher Remember… Water is the great equalizer…..it does not discriminate Drowning is FAST Drowning is SILENT Drowning is PREVENTABLE Just because you can SWIM, doesn’t mean you can’t SINK Public Safety Message For more information, visit ocfa.org or call 714-573-6200 Never swim alone and always watch the water!