It's Been a Long Time, But It Also Feels Like Yesterday

July is a month of emotional roller coaster rides. It is full of family birthdays, celebrating National Holidays such as Independence Day and other summertime fun. It also marks the anniversary of the most tragic thing that has ever happened in my life. That tragedy changed our family forever and put me on a path (a mission actually) to understand the why and how. I put all my energy in a life-long advocacy effort so no other family would EVER have to suffer through the loss of a child due to drowning.

The loss of my 14 month old nephew in my own backyard ripped a hole in my heart that from time to time feels as fresh as the day it happened. I will never forget the details of every second, minute and hour of that day or they days that followed. The sights and sounds can come rushing back to me like it was yesterday.

For the following six years after this tragedy, learning & advocating prevention is almost all I did. I researched, talked to experts and started a non profit. I became heavily involved in local & national organizations dedicated to the same thing. I wrote & delivered lectures to any group that would listen. I spoke at National Conferences and held Safety Expos. It was a passion that could not be sated. We moved to another state and I became a child safety advocate for another non profit, teaching child safety in a broader spectrum of subjects but my nephew was always at the core of why I did what I did.

There is no consolation to someone who was within 25 yards during the silent drowning death of a child they loved and the alarming truth, ...... 
   Safety Expert Mario Vittone stated it plainly in his bog: "It is the No. 2 cause of accidental death in children, ages 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents)—of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In some of those drownings (Personal Note: This was not in our case), the adult will actually watch the child do it , having no idea it is happening."

Click on the link to learn more about why

"Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning"

Drowning Risk - Age, Most Common Environment & Why 
The precursors for drowning are different by age group due to differences in physical & mental development. If you have read this far please keep reading. As saddening as this subject is it is imperative that people understand and work towards prevention in their own lives.

0-12 mos: Bathtubs, Toilets & Buckets. –Why? These environments are most available to the child. A brief lapse in supervision, to grab a towel, answer the phone or tend to a sibling can result in bathtub tragedy. As the child learns to crawl, pull them self up and "furniture walk", they feel accomplished and look for adventure. Water fascinates them and they love to play in it, but when that water is at the bottom of a bucket or a toilet, their top heavy bodies make it very easy for them to fall in, at which point they can not right themselves. Do not under estimate a child's capability. What they could not do yesterday, they may very well be able to do today. Keep bathroom doors secured, consider toilet lid locks, empty buckets and never leave a child alone in the bathtub.

1-4 yr old: Pools, Spas & Water Features (ponds & fountains), –Why? Children in this age group are walking, adventurous, have no fear and learn by experience (operant learners). They can learn to open a lock, if they see how you did it. They are problem solvers and will use a stool or climb to reach what they are too short to reach. What they learn, they learn by experience, problem solving and repetition. Children under the age of 4 do not have the mental capacity to understand danger. Which is why when you tell a child "don't touch that", they might even continue to reach for it. At this age & stage, water continues to be a fun thing and the briefest Lapse in Supervision + not enough barriers + no alarms for detection + no aquatic skills = highest risk for a submersion event. Do all you can do to buy yourself that precious moment in time to get to them before they get to the water alone.

5-12 yr old: Pools & Spas, -Why? Children in this age group have usually started to learn to swim, but at a varied level of skill. They interact with other children and play games in the water, some of which can be dangerous. Breath holding can lead to shallow water blackout, dunking and rough play can catch a weak swimmer off guard. Swimming and playing games under water are typical. Teach good water safety or enroll them in a water safety class. Vigilant supervision by parents is always the best drowning prevention. No one knows your child better than you. Parental supervision is paramount, even if a life guard is on duty. At social events where water is near; assign a WATER WATCHER, who focuses only on guarding that no child accidentally enters the water undetected and if a pool is being used the WATER WATCHER is totally dedicated to watching the children in & near the water.

12-18 yr old: Open Water, –Why? Teenagers are more independent and not always under the watchful eye of their parents. They are testing the boundaries, their abilities and often are very competitive around their friends. Drugs and alcohol are a big concern in this age group. Mix together no supervision, risky behaviors, possibly drugs and alcohol with water - Any combination and the outcome can be tragic. Talk to your teen-ager. Find examples of teenage drowning tragedies and help them understand the risk.

18-60 yr old: Pools & Open Water –Why? Risky Behavior: exceeding physical limitations, alcohol use during recreational water activities, failure to observe safety measures and failure to wear Coast Guard approved life jackets (PFD) while operating or riding in recreational water crafts. Underestimating open water environments and overestimating their abilities. Sudden drop offs, current and water temperature should be assessed before entering and use Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices (PFD, Life Jacket) when operating or riding in recreational water crafts.  

>60 yr old: Pools, Spas & Open Water –Why? With a lifetime of safe & experienced water activities there is an underestimated risk of engaging in water activities alone. Unexpected medical episodes while in the water can be fatal. Never Swim Alone. Do not mix water recreation with alcohol and use Coast Guard approved personal floatation devices (PFD, Life Jacket).

NOTE: The American Academy of Pediatrics has modified their position on what age a child should be before engaging in learning Aquatic Skills (it used to be age 6),but with the data reflecting high rates of drowning in the under 5 years of age group, they changed their policy. AAP Policy Update  

During the last three years (sometime after moving to Central America), I have not been actively working for any organization in the field of Child Safety or drowning prevention, but it is never far from my mind. I keep up with what others are doing and look at the data that the CDC post. I am so very proud of what the National Alliance for Drowning Prevention  and it's Chapters throughout the US of A are continuing to do!! 

"I wish I knew then what I know now" is a hind-sighted way of thinking that although true, will never undo what happened 9 years ago. After reading this, I hope that you will make a difference in drowning prevention, if only in your own family.

Thank you for reading,

C