Ensure pool safety this summer: Why first aid knowledge is essential for parents

As the sun-splashed days of summer beckon, many South Africans are gearing up for endless fun in swimming pools. However, lurking beneath the surface is a sobering reality: drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among young children. The World Health Organization reports that drowning claims more than 300,000 lives worldwide each year, with children under five bearing the brunt of this tragedy.

In South Africa, where both backyard and communal pools are commonplace, the stakes are higher. Even children who are confident swimmers can find themselves in precarious situations due to fatigue, accidental slips, or sudden medical events. Murray Hewlett, CEO of Affinity Health, emphasises the urgency of awareness around pool safety, stating, “The reality is that accidents happen in seconds and often without warning. That’s why awareness and basic first aid knowledge are so important for parents and caregivers, as they can save a child’s life.”

The Importance of First Aid

When emergencies strike, immediate response is crucial. A delayed reaction can mean the difference between life and death. Parents and caregivers who are educated in first aid can take decisive action while waiting for professional help to arrive. Essential skills such as CPR, rescue breathing, and procedures for managing choking should be familiar to every parent.

First Aid Tips for Parents

• Stay calm: Evaluate the situation without putting yourself at risk. Approach the child cautiously.
• Call for help: If a child is unresponsive or having difficulty breathing, dial emergency services immediately. Saving emergency numbers on your phone and displaying them near the pool can ensure a quick response. The iER app, which connects users with medical and non-medical emergency services nationwide, can provide swift access to local help.
• Remove the child from the water: If it’s safe, retrieve the child from the pool using a pole, float, or rope. Never enter the water unless you are certain of your safety.
• Check for breathing and pulse: If the child is not breathing, commence CPR right away. For children, perform 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, repeating this process until help arrives or the child begins to breathe normally.
• Manage choking incidents: For children over one year, perform the Heimlich manoeuvre if they are unable to breathe due to choking. For infants, back blows combined with chest thrusts are recommended.
• Prevent hypothermia: After a rescue, wrap the child in a dry towel or blanket.
• Be aware of secondary drowning: Even if a child appears fine after a near-drowning incident, monitor them closely, as symptoms of secondary drowning can develop hours later.
• Be prepared: A well-stocked first aid kit should contain bandages, antiseptics, scissors, gloves, and a CPR mask.
• Location matters: When calling for help or using the iER app, provide your exact address or GPS location to avoid delays.

Preventive Measures: Safety First

While first aid knowledge is vital, prevention is the true cornerstone of pool safety. Here are some measures parents can implement to significantly reduce risks:

• Install fences and lockable gates around pools to restrict access.
• Never leave children unattended, even for brief moments.
• Teach children water safety and swimming skills from a young age.
• Ensure that children wear approved life jackets when necessary.
• Remove toys and floats from the pool area when not in use to prevent unsupervised access.

Parents are urged to undertake accredited first aid and CPR courses, widely available through community organisations, schools, and health providers. Even teenagers who spend time around pools stand to benefit from this training.