Know the Signs and Myths of Drowning

Summer is the time for pool parties and trips to the beach—lots of fun in the sun. But that fun can quickly turn to tragedy if something happens to your child. Not knowing the signs of drowning could cost your little one its life.

Television has taught us how “easy” it is to tell when someone’s drowning. The victim waves their arms wildly, inevitably screaming “Help! I’m drowning!” It would be great if it worked that way, but in real life it is very different. 

Read these myths about drowning and the signs that someone is actually in trouble in the water:

MYTH: “I would hear if my child were drowning.” 
FACT: When the body is just focused on trying to get the mouth above water so it can breathe, it isn’t able to yell for help. If your normally chatty kid is quiet, find out why.

MYTH: “They’ll wave their arms and thrash around. I’ll see it.”
FACT: A drowning person is only focused on trying to breathe. Their arms are usually pinned to their sides and they are not struggling. 

MYTH: “Nothing will happen in the few seconds I’m inside.”
FACT: Drowning is quick. 20 seconds is all it can take for a child to drown. Children should be consistently supervised around water. Never assume that “we’re all watching the kids” because that means no one is actually watching for signs of drowning. 

MYTH: “My kid is a teenager. He knows how to swim.”
FACT: 47% of children ages 10-17 who drowned in pools were able to swim. Even someone who is a good swimmer may panic if it’s been awhile since they swam or are in unfamiliar territory, like the ocean instead of a pool.

Keeping kids safe in and around water is a big responsibility, but being aware of the dangers and being prepared can be the difference between life and death. Know the risks and have a safe summer.