Be a WATER WATCHER

• Water Watchers should be responsible adults. You should not depend on older children to watch younger children.
• Water Watchers supervise children in and near water – without being distracted. That means no phone calls, no text messaging, no reading books or magazines, no alcohol. Your primary focus as a Water Watcher should be watching the children.
• Water Watchers are not just for the lake or pool. Children can drown in as little as 1 inch of water, in any body of water. This includes oceans, lakes, ponds, rivers, puddles, kiddie pools, public and backyard pools, spas, bathtubs, toilets, buckets and the list goes on!
• Water Watchers should be prepared. If there is an emergency, do you know what to do? Learn how to swim, how to use rescue equipment and learn CPR. Keep a phone near you and use it only to call for help if there is an emergency. These skills may help you save a child’s life.

If you find a child in trouble in a pool …

1. Yell for help and CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY - If no one else is nearby, rescue the child first, begin CPR for 1 minute, and then call 9-1-1
2. FIRST reach or throw, don’t go – extend a long object (pole, paddle, towel, etc.) and pull in child, or throw the child a floating object.
3. If the child is unresponsive, grab a float and jump in. Place child face up and bring him/her to shallow water or pool steps. Lift child onto dry ground. Roll child onto back, while supporting head and neck.
4. Begin CPR if you are trained.
5. If you are NOT trained in CPR, follow telephone instructions from emergency personnel.

5 Truths about children who drown

You think that it could never happen to your family, but each year more than 800 children drown. These incidents are not only preventable, but they are predictable. Safe & Sound at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger wants you to keep you children safe and sound around water this summer. Here are five truths about children who drown and what you can do about it.

Truth 1 – Weak or no supervision – Children can drown quickly and quietly in a matter or seconds. Actively supervise your children and have a phone nearby to call for help.

Truth 2 – No barriers – Curious children, especially those younger than 4, can easily find and fall into bodies of water. Never leave a child alone when in or near water.

Truth 3 – Weak or no CPR skills – Drowning victims who are rescued need CPR immediately. It can prevent brain damage and be the difference between life and death. Safe & Sound recommends parents get certified.

Truth 4 – Week or no swimming ability – Children who don’t know how to swim are 8x’s more likely to be at-risk for drowning. Enroll your child in swimming lessons.

Truth 5 – Lack of life jacket use – Nearly 5,000 boating accidents occur each year in open waters and more than 700 people drown. Have your child wear a life jacket every time you go boating or are on a dock.