‘NOT ON MY WATCH’
Drowning injuries and fatalities are so commonplace that the stories could fill up whole newspapers.
The CDC estimates that about 10 people die from drowning in the U.S. every day.
Children ages 1 through 4 have the highest drowning rates and most of those drownings happen in home swimming pools.
Drowning events are real, tragic, frequently preventable,and much more than just statistics.
There are measures that service technicians can take to promote drowning awareness.
Speak to parents about removing toys and other temptations from the pool area.Encourage parents to learn about the layers of protection:pool covers, gates and alarms.
Remind parents there is no substitution for total supervision around the pool area.
Service professionals are in peoples’ backyards every day, and in a unique position to point out danger areas, but may not do so unless the drowning problem is brought home to them.
To that end, the following is a description of just some of the drowning incidents that have recently occurred.
Natchez, Mississippi, June 10 —
A 4-year-old girl was hospitalized with concerns for potential brain swelling after she was rescued from a hotel swimming pool when she jumped in and didn’t resurface. An off-duty fireman at the pool from out of town jumped in after her and started CPR.
Norman, Oklahoma, June 10 —
A 3-year-old boy died after he was found unresponsive in a swimming pool.
Arkansas Pass, Texas, June 12 —
A 10-year-old girl drowned at the Arkansas Pass Aquatic Center where she was swimming with her family. Life guards pulled her from the pool and started CPR but she died.
Seminole, Florida, June 12 —
A 1-year-old child was pronounced deceased the day after he was found unresponsive in the family’s swimming poolwhenhegotoutofthehomeundetected.
Dillon County, South Carolina, June 14 —
A 2-year-old child drowned in a home swimming pool.
Summerville, South Carolina, June 18 —
2-year-old Henry Moody was found unresponsive in the Pine Forest Country Club swimming pool. He died in the hospital.
Hooper, Colorado, June 18 —
A 14-year-old boy died after drowning at the Sand Dunes Swimming Pool while swimming with his family. Nurses and doctors at the pool as patrons began lifesaving techniques before first responders arrived.
Hernando County, Florida, June 21 —
A toddler died of her injuries days after drowning in a home swimming pool. A neighbor called 911 and started CPR at the scene because she is a nurse.
Logan County, West Virginia, June 24 —
A 4-year-old girl drowned in the pool inside the Chief Logan Lodge during a family gathering.
