Swimming Safety Tips to Avoid Personal Injuries
In South Carolina, swimming at the beach, in pools, or at local waterparks is a fun way to beat the summer heat, but there are dangers you need to be aware of. In addition to the threat of fatal drownings, non-fatal drowning can result in serious personal injuries that can impact even the most advanced swimmers. The following offers information on factors that could increase your risk of getting into trouble in the water in addition to swimming safety tips on how to tell when someone is in danger.
Factors In Fatal and Non-Fatal Drownings
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), accidental drowning is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Drowning kills as many as ten people a day, and a fifth of all victims are children. In addition to fatal drownings, non-fatal drownings are a common risk, which can have a potentially severe impact. Getting water in the lungs can result in lingering respiratory issues while being deprived of oxygen for even relatively brief periods of time can result in permanent and debilitating brain injuries. The CDC has identified five factors that often contribute to swimming related injuries and deaths:
- Lack of swimming ability: Swimming lessons are available for all ages, and parents are encouraged to enroll their children.
- Lack of fencing or barriers: Limiting access to pools can reduce a child’s risk of drowning by more than 80 percent.
- Lack of supervision: Even adult swimmers should seek out areas protected by a lifeguard, and should always make sure to swim with a buddy.
- Alcohol use: The CDC reports that in nearly 70 percent of water recreation related deaths, alcohol use is a factor.
- Location: While children are more at risk of fatal and non-fatal drownings in swimming pools, adults are more at risk in natural bodies of water.
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Signs of Trouble In The Water
Even at public pools, beaches, and water recreation parks where lifeguards are present, it is important to keep an eye out for children and adult companions. It is impossible for pool or beach officials to maintain constant attention, and many are likely to be new on the job, without prior experience, or put in charge of large areas that stretch beyond their abilities. To play it safe, the Weather Channel advises being alert for the following types of drowning:
- Active drowning, in which the victim is yelling and splashing
- Passive drowning, in which someone slips quietly under the water
- Secondary drowning, in which the person emerges or is rescued, but water has entered the lungs
In the event of injuries, notify a lifeguard, beach patrol, or the pool manager immediately and get medical attention for the victim right away.
Contact Our Personal Injury Attorney Today
In some cases, fatal and non-fatal drowning accidents are the result of reckless or negligent conduct on the part of others. If you or someone you care about is the victim of this type of injury, call or contact Anastopoulo Law Firm online to request a free consultation.
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