Drowning awareness: how vigilance can prevent tragedy

AS South Africa embraces warmer temperatures, families are reminded of the lurking dangers associated with water. With drowning being heralded as a silent epidemic in the country, it is increasingly vital for parents and guardians to remain ever-watchful.

Professor Feroza Motara, a leading emergency medicine specialist, stresses that vigilance is not just encouraged; it is necessary to prevent unspeakable loss.

“Every moment near water holds the risk of an emergency,” Professor Motara asserts. “Your child is never safe around water.”

These chilling reminders echo the grim statistics provided by ChildSafe SA, highlighting South Africa’s alarming drowning rate of 4.06 per 100 000 people.

As fun-filled summer days approach, so does the pressing need for heightened awareness and proactive measures to safeguard children and vulnerable individuals.

“Drowning can occur in seconds, without any warning signs,” warns Professor Motara. “This risk exists not only in pools or open water, but also in bathtubs, small inflatable pools, and even fish tanks.”

Hence, constant supervision is crucial — a task that cannot be delegated to older siblings or distracted adults. Every single moment of complacency could lead to tragedy.The professor further cautions against common distractions that could lead to disaster. “Even a brief glance at your phone or a sip of an alcoholic drink during supervision can have life-threatening consequences,” she said. “A moment's distraction is all it takes.”

Drowning prevention toolbox

To empower families, experts have curated practical water safety toolboxes for both adults and children to ensure safety around water:

• Never leave children unattended around water, whether indoors or outdoors.
• Supervisory duties must be undistracted; avoid using phones or engaging in long conversations while monitoring children.
• Stay vigilant to everyday water risks, including toilets, bathtubs, and even pet bowls; a baby can drown in as little as 2.5cm of water.
• Remain within arm's reach of all children near water.
• Be aware of your children's whereabouts at all times; do not assume they are safe indoors when they could be exploring outside.
• Learn life-saving skills, such as swimming and CPR.
• Ensure paddling pools and water features are secured with isolation fencing.
• Monitor supervisory duties without consuming alcohol or getting distracted by other obligations.
• Do not rely on floating devices for the safety of children.
• Consider water alarms for added safety measures.

“Learning basic first aid and CPR could mean the difference between life and death,” Mike Toubkin, Netcare's general manager of emergency services, says.

Safety reminders for adults

While children require strict supervision, adults, too, must observe certain guidelines to ensure everyone's safety:

• Never swim alone or in unmonitored areas.
• Avoid swimming under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Always supervise children without distractions.
• Recognise the differences between swimming environments – the ocean poses very different risks compared to a swimming pool.
• Test water depths before diving.

Basic CPR knowledge is invaluable. In an emergency, initiate CPR by shouting for help and placing the patient on firm ground. The Netcare 911 emergency operations centre offers live coaching to guide individuals through the CPR process via secure video link, ensuring no time is wasted in administering aid.

As South Africa combats this silent epidemic, Professor Motara’s clarion call for awareness rings louder than ever: “Complacency can be deadly. We must ALL commit to prevention.” This summer, let vigilance and knowledge of safety protocols become as ordinary as sunshine by the pool.