The Monkey Tree

For many there is nothing more appealing in hot weather than having the opportunity to take a dip in a refreshing pool and to splash excitedly with your family.  Whether it be the paddling pool in your own garden, holiday accommodation pool or the sea, being around water is highly likely during the summer months.  With our thoughts in summer fun mode it is therefore quite a sombre statistic to read that drowning is the 2nd leading cause of injury death for children in Europe. 

In some countries more people drown while on holiday abroad than at home and it often happens on the first day.  The following information from the European Child safety Alliance teaches us to be ‘water wise’ and prepare in advance for a fun and safe holiday.

The Facts

Drowning and near drowning are major causes of death and disability in the world. In 1999 in the UK 44% of deaths happened in rivers and streams and more children died in pools abroad than in the UK.  Also more than half of those who drowned could in fact swim.
A drowning incident takes people by surprise as it happens silently within seconds in as little as 2cm of water, in less time than it takes to answer the telephone.  People believe that a drowning person will make lots of noise while thrashing around in the water and resurface several times before actually drowning, but this is false. Drownings usually happen quickly and silently, even in very shallow water. Consciousness is lost after approximately 2 minutes, irreversible brain damage occurs after 4 to 6 minutes.  The estimated time that a child was noted to be missing was usually less than 5 minutes and no caregiver has ever reported hearing a splash even when the caregiver was by the poolside.
Alcohol use is one of the most frequently reported contributory factors associated with drowning and near drowning in adults and indirectly affects children because it impairs ones ability to react effectively and to supervise children.

Actions to take when you reach your holiday accommodation

One adult should inspect the location for hazards while another supervises the children.  It is not uncommon for a drowning to occur while both parents have been unloading the car or unpacking on arrival.  Take a walk around the site and anticipate where risks may occur.  Studies have shown that the days of arrival and afternoons on other days are the times of highest risk for children drowning.

Check the pool depths. 

Do this yourself by walking around the pool to ensure the markings are correct.

Locate the telephone and stick the emergency telephone numbers next to the phone with directions to the holiday property. 

Be prepared if an emergency happens, having all the information ready can help save a life.  Know what languages the operators will be using and understand so you can explain your emergency.  Also find out what is the medical transport system and how far is the hospital.  Some holiday properties are very remote and not all levels of transport are available.

Familiarise yourself with the flags that are used on the beach. 

The meaning of the flags are not the same in each country, ensure you know what they mean as they can help to identify dangerous situations.

Once you have inspected your holiday accommodation and have put your safety measures in place, tell your children what the rules are for this holiday, so the risk of injury can be reduced.  Teach your children the four water safety rules.

• Never swim alone.
• Do not Dive into unknown bodies of water.
• Do not push or jump on others.
• Know where to get help in case of an emergency.

Other Considerations

If you choose to stay in a holiday apartment, campsite or house with a swimming pool or garden pond you must be prepared to keep constant watch on the children by the water.  Choose a location with a fenced or gated pool.

Take swimming lessons. Children need to be taught how to swim.  There is strong evidence that swimming lessons improve swimming performance.  Pre-school aged children in certified swimming programmes show significant improvement in swimming ability and pool deck behaviour compared to those who do not take lessons.  However swimming ability alone is not sufficient to prevent drowning.

Use personal flotation devices that fit the size and age of the child.  Flotation devices and swimming lessons provide some protection, but this is no substitute for supervision.

Get trained in CPR. Once there has been a near drowning, it is crucial to begin CPR ( Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation.  If initiated promptly, resuscitation by a bystander has been shown to result in significantly better health outcomes in the drowning victim.

Use adequate sun protection a child’s skin is very sensitive and often experiences burning during the first days of holiday.

For further information and essential advice visit ROSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) www.rospa.com the European Child Safety Alliance Water Wise campaign can be accessed through the ROSPA website along with other key safety information.