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The Real Facts

Most of us like to think that swimming pools are relatively safe places. Barring water-borne infections, we don’t really think about how deadly a swimming pool can really be. The statistics can be a little sobering- the terrible truth is that over 250 children below the age of five drown in swimming pools every year. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that nearly 3000 children visit the emergency room due to swimming accidents and submersions. In fact, in a number of states drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children.

That’s not all- the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control has even more unsettling statistics. In the United States, almost nine people die every day because of drowning. In 2004, 74% of fatal, unintentional drowning was not of young children but adult men. Those who didn’t die suffered serious conditions like brain damage and paralysis. Why is this happening? Swimming areas are supposed to be supervised by lifeguards and manned by people with first aid experience. Then why are there so many swimming fatalities?

Swimming Areas Versus Authorized Swimming Areas

Whether it’s an indoor pool or a natural water setting like a river, very few people do a safety check before diving in. It’s not enough if someone says the water is safe- all swimming areas need to be properly authorized before you get in the water. In the case of swimming pools, make sure that the management has a valid license and that it is prominently displayed. The depth of the water should be clearly marked in all areas- this is actually one of the leading causes for pool injuries. Oftentimes, the water is too shallow for a diving board or any kind of diving at all. All swimming pools should have a first aid kit as well as an emergency telephone on hand. There should also be a life guard on duty at all times. Federal regulations also state that any private swimming area needs to have an enclosure that is at least five feet high. Regulations also state that all public pools must comply with special design and construction specifications- if they don’t they are a danger to public health.

If you’re thinking of swimming in an outdoor area, you need to be even more careful. A number of natural water settings are often poorly lit- this can be fatal for people swimming at night, as it can mask obstructions that are hidden in the water. A number of docks have submerged docks or rocks that are not clearly marked and these can also be a swimming hazard. Some areas also have boating in close proximity to swimmers- this can be a lethal and often a fatal combination.

Apart from keeping an eye out for properly authorized swimming areas, here are some extra tips you can keep in mind. If there are children swimming, make sure that an adult is present to supervise. Just because a child can swim doesn’t mean they can be left unattended in a pool. Never take alcohol before or during a swim- a large number of adult swimming fatalities occur because the person was drunk. Make sure that the life jackets you have on hand are approved by the US Coast Guard. If you are swimming out in a river or the ocean, take a swimming buddy with you. Extra vigilance is the key to making sure that your swimming trip is not only fun but safe as well.

by Peter Kent

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 12th, 2008 at 12:00 am and is filed under Sports . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.