"Hi, I'm Dr. Mike Hoaglin, a Virtual Urgent care Crovider, specializing in emergency medicine.
It's summertime and we know you're excited to get out there and enjoy the nice weather, your community. Lap pools and top pools are getting busy and it's time to get out there and have a splash. But before we do that, it's important to talk a little bit about safety. That's because drowning is a leading cause of death among children from ages 1 to 4, and it's the third leading cause of death among children and adolescents from 5 to 19 years of age.
If you're up for some aquatic fun with family and friends at some point this summer, remembering some water safety tips can be incredibly helpful. I'm here today to chat about some of these important water safety tips.
Water safety tips to remember
To start, here are a few things to consider:
- best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn. To get started, check out local swimming classes for children and adults in your area. According to the American academy of pediatrics, basic swim skills include the ability to enter the water to surface, to turn around, to propel oneself at least 25 yards, to float or tread the water and to exit the water. If you and your child can do these things, you're on your way to being a safe.
Familiarize yourself with the pool area. Keep U.S. Coast Guard approved lifesaving equipment nearby. This may include a pole, a rope, personal flotation devices (or PFDs), and know how to use them. Also make sure to locate any drains in the pool and make sure that kids stay away from those to prevent things like hair and bathing suits from getting stuck, unless it's properly covered with weight bearing material.
Never leave a child unobserved around water or at someone's home who has the pool. Keep your eyes on your child at all times. This also includes spas, wading pools, and when near irrigation, ditches, ponds, or other open standing water. The designated supervisor should be fully observant and not be using a smartphone, involved in conversation or if the supervisor can no longer give the child or children undivided attention, there should be a formal handoff to another supervisor.
It's important to be safe during bath time as well. Infants can tip over in the bath and children can slip and drown in just a couple inches of water in the bathtub. Infants should always be with an adult when sitting in a bath seat in a bath tub. Water should also be emptied from receptacles that are around the house immediately after use to prevent toilet danger. Use a toilet lock unless you are in the bathroom with your child and know how to perform CPR.
If needed, becoming CPR certified can equip you to help a near drowning victim. Once you're CPR certified, make sure to keep your certification. Current CPR classes are available through many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association. Older children can learn CPR too.
Keep a phone close by when you're at the pool. And if you have a home pool, install a phone or a pool safety alarm by the pool and keep a wireless phone nearby so that you can call 911 in an emergency.
Boating is fun too. Everyone in the boat should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, or a PFD, whenever they are in or on the watercraft, even if you're an expert. Wearing one sets a good example and makes it easier on you should you need to rescue somebody. Small children and those who don't swim should wear PFDs or life jackets when near the water and while in the water. Also, do not assume floaties or other wearable inflatables can replace a life jacket. These aides can deflate and are not designed for this purpose.
We're just as excited as you are to get out there and enjoy our summer and we hope that you consider these safety tips."
Updated July 22, 2021
*Virtual providers like Dr. Hoaglin are employed by Oscar Medical Group and are not employed by Oscar Health, Inc.
**In 2021, Oscar Virtual Primary Care will only be available to Oscar members on individual & family plans in Miami, FL, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Palm Beach, FL, Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Austin, TX, Denver, CO, and New York, NY, pending regulatory approval. Oscar's Virtual Primary Care offerings are only available for members ages 18 and over. Prescriptions, visits and services may be limited per provider discretion. Virtual Primary Care is not available in CA. If you have an HSA-compatible high-deductible health plan or a Secure plan in any state, you won't be eligible for $0 follow-up services.
This content does not constitute medical advice and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, including diagnosis or treatment. Contact your physician with any questions you may have regarding COVID-19 or your personal health. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911 for immediate assistance.
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