THE SAD TRUTH ABOUT DROWNING.
Despite more public awareness and vigilant caregiving, drownings continue to occur at an alarming rate. In fact drowning remains the number two cause of accidental death of young children.
This sad statistic is true because drowning is extremely difficult to detect, even for trained eyes. It is typically silent, occurs in just a few seconds, and can strike any swimmer regardless of ability.
Drowning devastates the lives of its victims, their families, and the community. What's even more tragic is that most drowning events are totally preventable.
DROWNING FACTS
"DROWNING IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF
INJURY RELATED DEATHS FOR CHILDREN AGES 1 to 14 YEARS."
"88% OF CHILDREN DROWNINGS OCCUR UNDER SUPERVISION."
– CNN, TXDPA, YMCA AND OTHERS.
23% OF CHILD DROWNINGS HAPPEN DURING A FAMILY GATHERING NEAR A POOL.
– STOPDROWNINGNOW.ORG
"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
"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
DROWNING CAN IMPACT ANYONE FROM PRESIDENTS TO ATHLETES TO MOVIE STARS.
