Drowning is the second-most
common cause of accidental
death in
children ages 1 to 14
(just behind motor vehicle
accidents). In a 2004
study by
a national safety group, 90
percent of children who drowned
did
so while under the care of
an adult or a teenager. In many
cases, the
study suggests, that
person had a momentary lapse
of attention. But the
fact is that
often those watching don't know
what to look for--because
drowning doesn't look like
drowning. To ward off a tragedy
in the
making, watch for the 8
signs that someone is in trouble.
1. A drowning person can't call
for help--she has to be able to
breathe before she can speak.
When a person is drowning, her
mouth sinks
below and reappears
above the surface of the water.
There isn't time
for her to exhale,
inhale, and call out.
2. She can't wave for help either.
A drowning person instinctively
extends her arms to the sides
and presses down to lift her
mouth out of
the water; a child
may extend her arms forward.
She can't use her arms
to move
toward a rescuer or reach for
rescue equipment.
3. A drowning person remains
upright in the water, with no
evidence
of kicking. She can
struggle for only 20 to 60 seconds
before going
under.
4. Eyes are glassy, unable to
focus, or closed.
5. Hair may be over forehead
or eyes.
6. Head is low in the water, with
mouth at water level; head may
be
tilted back with mouth open.
A child's head may fall forward.
7. Sometimes the most important
indicator that someone is drowning
is that she doesn't look like she's
drowning. She may just seem to
be
looking up at the sky, shore,
pool deck, or dock. Ask her, "Are
you all
right?" If she can answer
at all, she probably is. If she
returns a
blank stare, you may
have less than 30 seconds to
get to her.
8. Children playing in the water
make noise. When they get
quiet, you need to get to them
and find out why.
