Drowning is the leading cause of death for children at the beach, behind kidnappings. According to the CDC, “Every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Of these, two are children aged 14 or younger.”
- From 2005-2014, there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States — about ten deaths per day.1 An additional 332 people died each year from drowning in boating-related incidents.2
- About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger.1 For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.1
- More than 50% of drowning victims treated in emergency departments (EDs) require hospitalization or transfer for further care (compared with a hospitalization rate of about 6% for all unintentional injuries).1,2 These nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning (e.g., permanent vegetative state).3,4
Steve Kardian, 30-year law enforcement veteran, FBI defense tactics instructor, author of The New Superpower for Women and widely recognized expert on the criminal mind, shares his top tips for: CPR and Rescue Breathing, how to choose the safest location on the beach, important safety rules and limits for parents to know, and much more.
- Many beaches will post beach condition warnings, often in chalk as conditions can change rapidly. The warnings include information about the surf, riptides, wind conditions, predator alerts including shark sightings, jelly fish and Portuguese man of war and in rare instances, harmful bacteria that is present because of too much rain or sewage run-off.
- No lifeguard, no life line! Don’t venture into the water without a lifeguard – it’s risky under any conditions. Lifeguards attempt to spot potential problems before they become serious problems so heed their warning.
- You are your first line of defense so don’t take additional risks! People get into serious trouble and fatalities occur even when lifeguards are on duty. (I have investigated several of these cases).
- Always swim with a buddy or in a group. If you’re an adult watching kids, try to limit the number so your attention isn’t divided too many ways; one-on-one is best, 2 or 3 can be complicated and above 3 in unmanageable.
- Educate yourself on riptides, you can quickly become exhausted fighting the surf. Swim parallel to the beach and out of the riptide. Practice as if you have been caught and are being pulled out. It will prepare you mentally should this occur while you are in the water. Avoid panicking, it can be a killer.
- If you attempt to help someone who is in distress, use a towel, lifeguard rescue device or a lengthy rope that they can easily grab onto. If they grab you, it is likely that you both go under.
- Learn how to swim and check to see if everyone in your group knows how to swim. Children and non-swimmers should wear Coast Guard approved flotation devices.
- Digging or burying yourself in the sand can be fatal, especially for children.
- Avoid consuming alcohol, it dramatically reduces your ability to and the speed at which you can respond since it’s a neurotoxin and a central nervous system depressant. It can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and lower your blood pressure causing dizziness or causing you to pass out.
- Take a CPR or Red Cross approved safety course.
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