Preventive measures
| Watch children carefully, 84% of drownings occur because of bad adult supervision; the majority in or after the lunch hour. Begin swimming lessons from the age of 2 years, but be very careful at this time |
| Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties”; they can give a false sense of security. Use a lifejacket! |
| Never try to help rescue someone without being able to do it. Many people have died trying to do so |
| Avoid drinking alcohol and eating before swimming |
| Don't dive in shallow water, there is a risk of cervical spine injury |
| Beaches |
| Always swim in a lifeguard-supervised area Ask the lifeguard for safe places to swim or play Read and follow warning signs posted on the beach Do not overestimate your swimming capability; 46.6% of drowning victims thought they knew how to swim Swim away from piers, rocks and stakes Take lost children to the nearest lifeguard tower >80% of drownings occur in rip currents (the rip is usually a falsely calm deep place between two sand bars). If caught in a rip, swim transversally to the sand bar or let it take you away without fighting and wave for help If you are fishing on rocks be cautious about waves that may sweep you into the ocean Keep away from marine animals |
| Pools and similar |
| >65% of deaths occur in fresh water, even on the coast Fence off your pool and include a gate; approved fencing can decrease drowning by 50–70% Avoid toys around the pool; they are very attractive to children Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, be within arm's length, providing “touch supervision” Turn off motor filters when using the pool Always use portable phones in pool areas, so you are not called away to answer Don't attempt hyperventilation to increase submersion time Use warning sign to indicate shallow water Learn how to react to a drowning situation, >42% of pools owner are not aware of first-aid techniques; be careful! |