The ABC & D's of Drowning Prevention...

Drowning can be prevented:

• Most common drowning victim is a child four years of age or younger.
• The majority of drowning deaths occur in the family pool.
• Seventy percent of the incidents occur between 2 and 8 p.m.
• Contrary to what many people believe, drowning is a quick and silent killer. In the time it takes to:
  • Get a towel - (10 seconds) a child can become submerged.
  • Answer the phone - (2 minutes) a child can lose consciousness.
  • Answer the front door - (4-6 minutes) a submerged child can sustain permanent damage or die.

A = Adult Supervision

Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional death in Southern Nevada for young children. Constant adult supervision is essential in preventing childhood drownings. These tragedies often occur while caregiver is at home and there is a brief laps in supervision.

Drowning can occur in seconds, in any water which covers a child's nose and mouth including:

• Pools
• Spas
• Inflatable pools
• Bathtubs
• Toilets
• Buckets
• Natural bodies of water

Always remember to:

• Designate an adult who can swim to actively supervise children around water.
• Teach all children to get out of the water if the supervising adult leaves the pool area.
• Hire a certified lifeguard for pool parties, beach barbecues or social gatherings around water.
• Maintain visual contact. Remain close to your child when in a pool, spa, or bathtub.

B = Barriers for your pool

Installation and proper use of barriers or "Layers of Protection" is crucial. Most victims were last seen safe inside the home.

Layers of Protection

• Perimeter fences must be non-climbable, four sided, and a minimum of 60 inches high.
• Isolation fences must separate the pool/spa from the residence with more openings no more than 4 inches wide so children cannot squeeze through spaces. They must be non-climbable, four-sided and a minimum of 48 inches high. A 60-inch high fence is recommended.
• Self-closing, self-latching fence gates are recommended. Latches must be mounted above the reach of small children. Gates must open away from pool. Contact your local building department for specific requirements.
• Gates must be closed and never propped open. When a pool is not in use gates must be locked with a combination lock so small children cannot get the key to open.
• Spa safety covers that support the weight of an adult must be locked to protect spa when not in use.
• Doggie doors must be alarmed or secured. A crawling baby can exit through a doggie door and drown in an unprotected pool.
• Power operated pool covers provide safety and are easy to use. Solar/floating pool covers are not safety covers and do not provide adequate protection. Children can slip underneath and become trapped out of site.
• Doors/windows leading to pool/spa are must be alarmed to alert family members when opened.
• Doors/windows/gates must be locked. Doors/gates must also be self-closing and self-latching.
• Tables/chairs/planters must be moved away from pool fence and secured so they cannot be used for climbing over fence.

C = Classes (swim lessons and CPR)

The responsibility of pool/spa ownership is to ensure family members learn to swim and know CPR (cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). Swim lessons are a gift for life. Swimming mastery includes the ability to perform various strokes. Clark County Parks & Recreation offers classes at community aquatic centers across the valley.

The rules of the water:

• Each year, enroll children in age-appropriate, year round swim lessons taught by qualified instructors to maintain swimming skills. Non-swimming family members need lessons too.
• Never consider children "drown-proof" or "water-safe" despite age, swimming skills, previous lessons or experience. This may lead to a lack of supervision or a false sense of security.
• CPR skills save lives and prevent brain damage by maintaining a person's breathing/heartbeat until medical assistance arrives.
• Require parents, grandparents and care givers to know CPR, rescue techniques and how to call 9-1-1.
• Take refresher courses to help maintain CPR skills. 

D = Devices (PFDs, life jackets and rescue tools)

Create a safe pool environment. Be prepared and practice lifesaving procedures prior to an emergency situation.

• Lifesaving ring, shepherd's hook, and CPR instructions should be mounted at pool side. Rescue equipment must be accessible and in good repair.
• A pool side phone is an essential part of a safe pool environment which allows access to 9-1-1 and avoids leaving children unattended to answer the phone.
• Post 9-1-1 emergency number, home phone number and home address at every telephone.
• Install a toy box away from the pool. Toys in or around pool/spa entice children to that area.
• All pool and boat owners must know reaching assist techniques.
• Children and non-swimmers must wear personal flotation devices (PFD or life jacket) which are US Coast Guard approved around any body of open water.
• Floaties or inflatable toys are not designed to be used as a PFD/life-jacket or substitute for adult supervision.