Drowning

Death due to drowning is a major avoidable tragedy that happens all the time. Most such deaths can be averted by taking some basic precautions; and many victims rescued if timely first aid is administered.

First Aid

For details of how to handle those in active state of drowning, read WikiHow.

For first aid for those who have been brought out of water, read St John Ambulance.

NOAA [Pub. dom.], WikiCom

NOAA [Pub. dom.], WikiCom

Prevention

Almost every week we read in the local newspapers or watch in the TV news channels that one or more young people have drowned in the sea, a river, a pond/lake, an open well or in a swimming pool. And all these tragedies could have been easily avoided had they or their guardians taken some basic precautions. Here are some tips that would spell the difference between life and death.

1. If you are not a good swimmer, you must  never venture into

  •     still waters above hip deep; or
  •     moving waters (sea, river) above knee level.

2. If you have to go into, or may have a remote chance of falling into, deeper waters (as while sailing in a boat),  always remember to wear a life jacket.

3. Never allow yourself or your wards to play in the sea  when the sea is rough and where there are no coastguards around.

4. Watch the tide. If it is flowing in, be extra careful. You could lose foot grip without a warning. If the tide is ebbing away, be careful not to wade too deep in. There can be an undercurrent that can pull you far into the sea.

4. Make sure to enter the water only where it is permitted, and never go to a lonely spot.

5. Do not blindly rush into the water to rescue any drowning person, but strictly follow this procedure. Get well acquainted with this procedure as part of your first aid training.

6. Keep long ropes, preferably with a ring float on one end, with you when you go on a picnic near water. You may be able to save someone, even if that someone happens to be from outside your own group.

Attention, Parents/Guardians/Schools

Nanda93 [Pub. Dom.], WikiCom.

Nanda93 [Pub. Dom.], WikiCom.

1. Make sure that your children learn proper swimming when still young, although there is no upper age limit to learn. The only eligibility for a healthy person to learn swimming is not knowing swimming. It is your responsibility to make sure that your children and other wards are taught swimming as early in life as possible.

2. Since a significant number of drowning tragedies happen during picnics and school excursions, please take special effort to prevent children from entering water during these trips.

Copyright Robert Grubh

Copyright Robert Grubh

3. Children at home. Crawling children and toddlers can get drowned  even in half a bucket (pail) of water or an innocent-looking garden pool. It has been happening all the time because of the carelessness of the parents/guardians. You can prevent such tragedies by doing the following:

  • Prevent children from getting into any bathroom unattended; and never leave water  in a bucket any other container elsewhere frequented by crawling babies and toddlers. If it cannot be avoided do ensure that the area is continuously monitored when children are around.  
  • Never let a crawler or a toddler near a garden pool even if it is shallow.

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Click below to visit other first-aid topics discussed in this website.

Burns    Choking    Electric shock    Epilepsy fits    Fractures    Childbirth (First Aid)    Poisoning    Suicide intention    Unconscious  / Fainting   LPG cooking gas


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