Keeping a first aid kit or first aid kits by the swimming pool is not swimming safety. There are about 3,600 unintentional fatal drownings in the United States every year. That’s more than 10 deaths by drowning or drowning related causes every day. Of those drownings in the United States, more than one in four of those people were children younger than 14. Of those many had to be taken to the hospital for injuries related to swimming accidents. If they don’t die they can stillreceive serious long term brain damage including learning disabilities, memory issues, and permanent vegetative state.

Though there are a lot of deaths due to drowning in this country every year, there are factors that make someone more likely to drown. Identifying these risk factors can help us set up safety precautions to prevent deaths due to drowning in this country. Supervision and barriers are the most important aspects. Younger children who drown usually drown in bathtubs, toilets, or buckets. Leaving kids alone for five minutes can be dangerous. Barriers are good even during supervision. The older children and people get, the more likely they are to drown in natural water settings like lakes, rivers, ponds, or the ocean. Boating and drowning are often linked too. Alcohol is a big influence as well. Seizures are the highest risk factor for drowning related incidents in bathtubs.

Preventing these injuries and deaths can be quite easy. Watching kids at all times is the first thing to do. Swimming with a swimming buddy can be safe for everyone no matter what age they are, or make sure there is a life guard on duty wherever you are swimming. Leaving the alcohol alone near water is best. Learning to swim, as obvious as it seems, can be a lifesaver, but it is not recommended as a primary means for drowning prevention for younger children. CPR can save someone’s life before the medics get there. Using floating toys instead of personal flotation devices is a bad idea because they are not designed to keep you safe on the water.