DESIGNATING A WATER WATCHER COULD SAVE YOUR CHILD’S LIFE

HAVING A PARTY WHERE KIDS AND GROWNUPS MINGLE AND HAVE FUN TALKING AND SWIMMING IS ENJOYABLE! BUT DON’T LET IT TURN INTO A TRAGEDY THAT IS EASILY PREVENTABLE.

WHEN A GROUP OF FRIENDS GET TOGETHER, MANY TIMES PARENTS WILL THINK, “OH, WITH SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND, WE ALL ARE WATCHING THE KIDS!”

BUT SOON A DISASTER CAN HAPPEN…TRUTHFULLY, EVERYONE THINKS THEY ARE WATCHING THE POOL BUT IN REALITY, NOBODY IS WATCHING THE POOL! DON’T LET HEARTBREAK HAPPEN TO YOU!

Designate a water watcher. When friends get together and there is a group involved and children are swimming, tragedies can occur because parents assume someone else is watching the children in the water. Be sure to designate one person, as an appointed Water Watcher, whose sole role is to supervise and watch, diligently, the children in the pool until another person takes over. This does not take the place of individual parents watching their own children! You can never have too many eyes watching. A Water Watcher Card or Tag can even be given to that sole person, designating them to watch the children for a certain allotted time, like 10 minutes. Then the Water Watcher tag is given to the next person to take their turn in watching.

AN APPROPRIATE WATER WATCHER:

• Is at least 16 years of age (adults preferred).

• Has the skills, knowledge, and ability to recognize and rescue someone in distress or can

immediately alert someone nearby who does or can.

• Knows CPR or can immediately alert someone nearby who can.

• Has a working phone to call for emergency help, which is typically 9-1-1.

• Has a floatation device and/or reaching object that can be used in a rescue.

• Is ALERT and not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or distracted by texting, telephone,

or talking to others or reading.

Watch all children and even those who know how to swim as well as adolescents. Young children or inexperienced swimmers need to be within arm’s reach of an adult at all times. Make sure a responsible person constantly watches young children in the bath, as well. Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water.

KNOW THE FACTS

· Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury deaths for children 1-14

· Three children die every day as a result of drowning.

· Drowning kills more children 1-4 than anything else except birth defects.

· Most fatal drownings happen when there is poor or absent supervision.

· Drowning can be quick and quiet.

· Groups need to have their own Water Watcher. Drowning can happen even in the

presence of lifeguards.

· Parents, caregivers, aquatic facility owners, managers and operators should use

multiple “layers of protection” to ensure safety. Layers of protection include:

FOLLOW THE RULES & TIPS TO STAY SAFE

· No running, no diving in shallow areas, and no pushing.

· Use Coastguard-approved life jackets. Floaties and armbands are not recommended. Not only do they not save lives, but they can contribute to a false sense of confidence in the water.

· Have pool Barriers and Gates with self-closing latches:

· Lock doors and windows.

· Install an alarm system.

· Have Emergency Equipment: lifebuoys, reaching poles, and a first aid kit.

· Learn to Swim: Encourage children and families to participate in formal swimming lessons starting as young as the age of four months old to help keep children safe. Children that are in swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88% in the ages of 1 through 4.

· Alcohol and Pool Safety: If alcohol is being served, remind adults to drink responsibly and avoid excessive consumption.

· Constant Communication: Keep an open line of communication with the children. Make sure they understand the importance of following the safety rules.

· Be Prepared for Emergencies: Learn CPR.

· Store all pool toys, tools and buckets away when they are not in use.

· Stay vigilant: Even if the kids seem comfortable and capable in the water, accidents can happen quickly.

· Lastly—if a child is missing, ALWAYS search for them in any nearby bodies of water first.

CONCLUSION

By taking these precautions and being diligent in your supervision, you can create a fun and safe environment for kids to enjoy the pool during any pool gathering.

Resources

· Online home pool rescue and operations training: American Red Cross and National Swimming Pool Foundation

· American Red Cross Circle of Drowning Prevention

· Seattle Children’s Hospital

· Keeping Kids Safe In And Around Water: Exploring Misconceptions That Lead To Drowning: Safe Kids Worldwide

· Stop Drowning Now: Facts and Statistics about Drowning