World Drowning Prevention Day

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day where organisations around the world coordinate efforts to prevent drowning.

Recent hot weather has caused 12 deaths in this country alone, with even people who can swim getting into difficulties in the water. Partly this is due to the unexpected ‘shock’ the body can go into when it hits very cold water and the body behaves in a way the individual does not expect.

I have noticed there are more adverts on TV advocating the need to ‘float to live’ with five key pieces of advice:

1. If you’re struggling in the water. fight the urge to thrash around
2. Lean back, extend your arms and legs
3. Gently move them around to help you float if you need to
4. Float, until you can control your breathing
5. Only then, call 999 or 112 for help, or swim to safety

It is always advisable to swim in supervised waters, as this ensures that experienced personnel can help if you get into difficulty.  I recall being at one of my child’s swimming lessons years ago when, all of a sudden, a lifeguard jumped in and pulled out a four year old who was involved in one of the lessons.

I enquired afterwards how they knew that the child was in difficulty (as none of the spectators had noticed anything amiss) and he said it was being able to identify subtle signs in person, who may be surrounded by a group of people, (such as the head dropping back or ‘stillness’). The child’s parents were very glad the lifeguard had had the necessary training to notice these signs and rescue their daughter.

The signs of drowning may not be what you expect.  I always imagine the Hollywood inspired image of a person thrashing around and screaming, however research suggests that a drowning person can present quite differently and may not, at first sight, appear to be in serious difficulty. This is due to the ‘Instinctive Drowning Response’ – ways the body attempts to avoid suffocating in the water.

A person who is drowning may:

1. Be silent and unable to call for help
2. Hold their mount below the surface of the water, or alternate been the surface and under the water – making it difficult to inhale or exhale
3. Be unable to wave or signal, as the natural instinct is to press down on the water to lift themselves up to breathe
4. Be unable to control arm movements, making swimming difficult
5. Be vertical in the water and not show signs of kicking

Bear in mind, that a person displaying these symptoms may only have about 20 – 60 seconds before they are submerged, so quick action is required.

Even in supervised situations, such as waterparks for example, it is important to always stay vigilant and take care. Your safety could rely on the competence and experience of the lifeguards on duty and the general appearance of a venue may give you an indication of the level of care taken in general.

You also need to bear in mind that there are other risks associated with swimming. I have had cases cross my desk where children have broken limbs due to lack of supervision on a slide (an unnoticed obstacle blocking their way for example), or injuries caused by poorly maintained pools or equipment.

If you turn up at a venue and the area generally looks badly looked after, question whether it is right to enter the pool and potentially put yourself at risk.

Pools abroad are a key part of a holiday, but choose your destination carefully and ensure that the reviews and star rating reflect a hotel or resort that looks after their infrastructure and employs suitably trained lifeguards and staff.  A cheap holiday is tempting, but make sure you will be safe and looked after properly.

Enjoy the hot weather and take every opportunity to cool off, but this ‘World Drowning Prevention Day’ also take the time to educate yourself in what to do if things go wrong.

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