THINKING IT CAN'T HAPPEN IS ONE REASON IT DOES
THE SAD TRUTH ABOUT
DROWNING
espite a diligent and caring staff, at least 20% or more occur even with lifeguards on watch.
D
They happen because drowning is extremely difficult to detect even for trained eyes, often being silent, taking only seconds, and striking any swimmer regardless of ability.
Its results devastate the lives of the victims, their families, the staff, and the community.
​
"I'VE SPOKEN TO THOSE WHO HAD EXPERIENCED AN EVENT YEARS AGO AT THEIR FACILITY, AND THEIR EYES STILL SWELL UP WITH TEARS. THE PAIN NEVER GOES AWAY. "
– DAVE CUTLER, WAVE COFOUNDER
DROWNING
FACTS
"DROWNING IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF
INJURY RELATED DEATHS FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 to 14 YEARS."
– US CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
​
"88% OF CHILDREN DROWNINGS OCCUR UNDER SUPERVISION."
– CNN, TXDPA, YMCA AND OTHERS
​
​
"FOR CHILDREN 5 TO 9 YEARS OF AGE AND CHILDREN 10 TO 14 YEARS OF AGE,
THE PUBLIC/COMMUNITY/BUSINESS LOCATION ACCOUNTED
FOR THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE OF REPORTED DROWNINGS"
– CPSC
"AS MANY AS 80% OF DROWNINGS ARE DISCOVERED BY
SOMEONE OTHER THAN LIFEGUARDS"
– THE REDWOODS GROUP
​
​
"... DEATH RATES AMONG CHILDREN IN SWIMMING POOLS
HAVE BARELY BUDGED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS."
​
​
​
"IN AS LITTLE AS 20 SECONDS A CHILD CAN DROWN UNNOTICED.
FOR AN ADULT IT ONLY TAKES ABOUT ONE MINUTE."
– CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL & PREVENTION
​
​
"DROWNING IS A SILENT KILLER, WITH THE VICTIM
OFTEN UNABLE TO CRY OUT FOR HELP, WAVE THEIR ARMS,
OR EVEN ALERT THE PERSON NEXT TO THEM..."
– CPSC
​
​
"TESTING INDICATES THAT LESS THAN 10% OF LIFEGUARDS
WOULD IDENTIFY A SUBMERGED OBJECT WITHIN 10 SECONDS."
–THE PHILADELPHIA INSURANCE GROUP
​
​
​
​
"FOR CHILDREN 5-14 YEARS OLD THAT DROWN IN POOLS,
57% OF FATALITIES OCCUR IN PUBLIC/COMMERCIAL POOLS ."
–CPSC POOL OR SPA SUBMERSION REPORT 2018
​
​
​
"ANOTHER 5 TO 10 PEOPLE RECEIVE HOSPITAL-RELATED CARE
FOR NON-FATAL DROWNING INJURIES FOR EVERY FATAL DROWNING VICTIM."
​
"THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT SWIMMING ABILITY
REDUCES A CHILD'S CHANCE OF DROWNING.
IN FACT, MANY OF THE DROWNED CHILDREN
IN CDC STATISTICS KNEW HOW TO SWIM."
​
– WEBMD
​
"ANY GIVEN SWIMMING POOL IS NEARLY
100 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO KILL A CHILD THAN ANY GIVEN GUN."
– 'FREAKONOMICS' BY LEVITT & DUBNER
​
​
VIDEO FOOTAGE OF ACTUAL DROWNING EVENTS.
WARNING: SOME CONTENT MAY BE DISTURBING TO VIEW.
