Preventing drowning

Some other preventative measures include:
– Make sure an adult is constantly watching children swimming or playing around the water, including staying within arm’s reach of inexperienced swimmers while in the water.
– Check the water depth before entering.
– Do not use air-filled or foam toys, such as “water swings,” “noodles” or inner-tubes in place of life jackets (persona flotation devices).
These are toys and are not designed to keep swimmers safe and can give a false sense of security.
– Do not swim alone or in unsupervised places. Instruct children and adults to always swim with a friend.
– Instruct individuals never to attempt to swim in situations beyond their skill level.
– The presence of trained lifeguards reduces the risk of drowning.
– Warn individuals to refrain from alcohol or drug consumption before and while swimming.
 Ensure that suction outlets (main drains) in pools and spas are safely constructed, in place and maintained.
– Control access around pools and spas, especially those without lifeguards, with four sided fences using self-closing and self latching gates in the fence with latches out of the reach of children.
– Have staff members that are trained in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and the use of automated external defibrillators .
– Only allow swimming when the bottom of the pool or its main drain is clearly visible.
Drowning signals
If a person is unable to breath for more than four minutes, it is most probable that irreversible brain damage or death can occur.
The longer a person is without oxygen, the more severe the outcome. Death has been known to result from submersion of less than one minute.
Active drowning victims remain at the surface for less than one minute. They may be able to struggle for as 20 seconds. A passive drowning victim does not struggle at all.
Time is critical in life threatening situations. In the first minute, breathing stops and the heart ceases to beat shortly thereafter. Brain damage is quite possible when oxygen is deprived for four to six minutes. Brain damage is likely without oxygen for six to 10 minutes. With no oxygen for 10 minutes, brain damage is certain. Before help can be provided to a distressed swimmer, the rescuer must be aware of certain signs of distress. It is important to note that most drowning victims can not or do not call for help.
Distressed swimmers: These individuals are aware that they are in trouble. They are conscious but in many cases are unable to call for help.
Usually they are in a diagonal position, at or just below the surface of the water. They may be some motion as they attempt to swim, without any effective results. If they are not helped, they may lose the ability to float, thus becoming a drowning victim.
Active drowning victims: These individuals will usually have their head back with the face looking up. Their bodies are usually vertical or slightly diagonal to the water. Their eyes, if open, have a surprised disoriented look. Often the mouth is in a round ‘O’ open position. It is rare that an individual in this condition can call for help. They are usually gasping for air or not breathing at all.
Passive drowning victims: An active drowning victim may progress to a passive drowning victim. These individuals are unconscious. Their bodies can be either limp or rigid. They can be floating face down on the bottom or near the surface of the water. There is no motion except for possible convulsive jerks as a result of lack of oxygen to the brain.
Lastly, let’s have a drown free summer this time around by teaching our children how to swim.
Enjoy your summer!!

– Vincent Munyeza is a certified pool operator and a director of Jackson Munyeza Pools. He can be contacted on the following address: splash@jackson munyezapools.com