The summer season season brings enjoyable actions to youngsters of all ages. More youngsters spend time open air, which regularly means they’re swimming, enjoyable, or cooling off within the water. The summer season brings enjoyable however, sadly, might carry water accidents and drownings. Children ages 1-4 have the very best threat of drowning. The threat decreases as youngsters become old however rises once more within the teen years. Adolescents are additionally among the many highest charges of drowning within the nation. Keep any eye out for our weblog particular to drowning prevention for youthful youngsters popping out subsequent week as properly.
Understand the drowning threat for teenagers
Even teenagers who’ve accomplished swimming classes and really feel assured of their swimming expertise are nonetheless in danger for water accidents and drowning. With rising independence, teenagers typically take pleasure in hanging out with their mates, and this time could also be spent away from grownup supervision. Swimming is a well-liked teen exercise and might pose critical dangers if not practiced safely.
- Teenagers might overestimate their skills, underestimate harmful conditions, and really feel invincible. This is as a result of the a part of the mind that controls advanced decision-making and rational ideas nonetheless develops within the teen years and isn’t totally developed till the mid-’20s. Therefore, this age group is at the next threat of overestimating their skills within the water and underestimating the hazard which may be concerned in an exercise.
- Less managed our bodies of water and participation in actions that require extra ability. Teens might typically take part in water recreation similar to water snowboarding, paddle boarding, and browsing. These forms of actions typically require expertise which might be extra superior than swimming. In addition, these actions typically happen outdoors swimming swimming pools and in much less managed our bodies of water similar to lakes, rivers, ponds, and even the ocean. The presence of enormous waves, quick currents, giant boats, and fishermen can create harmful conditions for teenagers.
- Peer stress can be a threat issue that comes into play. Teenagers might really feel the necessity to sustain with others or present that they’ve extra superior expertise than they’ve.
- Alcohol use and swimming don’t combine. Among adolescents and younger adults, alcohol use is concerned in practically seventy % of water recreation relation deaths. Alcohol, amongst different substances, can impair judgment and coordination and enhance dangerous conduct.
Precautions you may take to lower the chance of drowning
- Hone your swimming expertise. It might sound easy, however figuring out how you can float and tread water can save your life in a harmful scenario. If you or your teen don’t know how you can swim it’s by no means too late to study! Swimming and water security classes are the best first steps to drowning prevention.
- Never swim alone. Teach your teen to make a buddy system with a reliable swimmer.
- Learn CPR. Knowing CPR may help save somebody’s life within the time it takes for paramedics to reach. St. Louis Children’s Hospital affords Friends & Family CPR lessons for these seeking to study life-saving CPR expertise.
- Wear a life jacket. Life jackets can lower the chance of drowning in swimming swimming pools and pure our bodies of water. They can be utilized by folks of all ages and swimming potential. Do not depend on air-filled toys or foam units, as they aren’t security units.
- Swim in areas the place there’s a lifeguard on responsibility. If a lifeguard is unavailable, designate a accountable grownup who can supervise carefully. If supervising youngsters whereas swimming, attempt to keep away from distractions, as drowning can typically be silent.
- Feet First! Teach your teen that the primary time they enter a physique of water, they need to do it ft first. It is essential to understand how deep the water is earlier than you dive in, and if you’re swimming in a pure physique of water, there could also be hazards similar to rocks and tree branches that may trigger critical and generally everlasting accidents similar to mind and spinal twine accidents.
- Know the dangers of pure our bodies of water. If swimming in a pure physique of water, keep away from swimming in areas with excessive tides, quick currents, giant boats, and fishermen.
Safety Stop at St. Louis Children’s Hospital gives data to assist maintain your youngsters and household protected with 5 handy areas out there for appointment throughout the St. Louis area.
Have enjoyable, and keep protected!