Listen for the Silence-Information on Drowning You Need to Remember!
Wow watch the video, it's really powerful and not what you expect to see. Shocking to see people so close not even realizing someone next to them is DROWNING. I thought this post was so important with information I had never heard before. For example Dry Drowning. Spread the word. Great post Kathy Streib!
Kathy
Listen for the Silence....Information on Drowning You Need to Remember!
The weather has been brutally hot up north and of course, it's summer here in
Florida so water, the beach, swimming pools and water parks are tops on everyone's list. But, each year there are about 10 drowning deaths per day in the US.
In Palm Beach County, there were 46 drowning deaths in 2011. Any number less than that is still too many.
We all know the normal safety precautions: know how to swim; never swim alone; never leave children unattended; have life jackets handy....
But please take a minute to read or refresh yourself about 2 important facts about drowning.
1. People drowning do not always exhibit actions like we see on television.. the flailing of arms and screams for help. You can be sitting at the pool and not realize it if you're not paying attention.
Learn the Instinctive Drowning Response- The drowning victim often cannot call out for help, they are physiologically incapable. Their struggle to breathe precedes their ability to call out.
In addition, they cannot flail their arms like we see in the movies. Their instincts are to push down on the water. You can watch this video of Instinctive Drowning Response.2. Dry (or delayed) drowning- What is it? It can happen anywhere from 1 hour to 24 hours after someone has been in the water... perhaps they had a near drowning or took in a large amount of water. They get home and then begin to exhibit symptoms.
Commit to memory what the signs are (persistent coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, lethargy).And if there is any doubt, take them to the hospital.
Please be vigilant around the water even if your children know how to swim.
Listen for the Silence.
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