Pool Safety

What are the most common risks associated with water?

Most accidents that involve drowning or severe injury occur to children under 5 years of age who are unsupervised, cannot swim, and fall into a pool or pool cover with water on top. Toddlers at the age of 2 or 3 are most likely to wander off from a parent's supervision. Barriers such as fences or back doors are often left unlocked. Drowning is NOT accompanied by loud noise or splashing sounds. DROWNING IS SILENT! To prevent child drowning, there is NO substitute for parental supervision.

The second largest number of accidental injuries occur to teenagers, primarily males. Often the victim has been drinking alcohol and dove into an area too shallow for diving, or from a location not intended for diving (like the roof of the house). Many of those who "drink and dive" end up in a wheelchair, if they're lucky. Alcohol and spas are also a potentially lethal combination; the hot water and the alcohol combine to cause individuals to fall asleep and drown in only three feet of water.

Other hazards exist from standing water on top of solid pool covers. Small children and animals can drown in as little as a few inches of water. Cover pumps are available and must be used, or switch to a mesh type safety cover. Solar blankets or solid covers must be completely removed before entering the water. Entrapment by the suction of a single main drain on long hair or small arms and legs has been the cause of drowning in the past. New standards require double main drains or a safety switch to prevent this.

Here are some facts included in a comprehensive study of drowning and submersion incidents involving children under 5 years old in Arizona, California, and Florida conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

• Seventy-five percent of the submersion victims studied by CPSC were between 1 and 3 years old; 65 percent of this group were boys. Toddlers, in particular, often do something unexpected because their capabilities change daily.
• At the time of the incidents, most victims were being supervised by one or both parents. Forty-six percent of the victims were last seen in the house; 23 percent were last seen in the yard or on the porch or patio; and 31 percent were in or around the pool before the accident. In all, 69 percent of the children were not expected to be at or in the pool, yet they were found in the water.
• Submersion incidents involving children usually happen in familiar surroundings. Sixty-five percent of the incidents happened in a pool owned by the child's family and 33 percent o the incidents happened in a pool owned by friends or relatives.
• Pool submersions involving children happen quickly. A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone. Seventy-seven percent of the victims had been missing from sight for 5 minutes or less.
• Survival depends on rescuing the child quickly and restarting the breathing process, even while the child is still in the water. Seconds count in preventing death or brain damage.
• Child drowning is a silent death. There's no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble.

What is the best way to prevent accidents?

NSPI statistics show that drowning and swimming accidents are best prevented by:

• Adult supervision
• Public awareness programs including water safety training for young children
• Not drinking alcohol while swimming, diving or soaking
• Many communities have enacted safety regulations governing residential swimming pools - in ground and aboveground. It's up to parents to comply with these regulations. Apart from these laws, parents who own pools can take their own precautions to reduce the chances of their youngsters accessing the family pool or spa without adult supervision.

More NSPI Drowning Prevention Tips:

• There is NO substitute for adequate supervision. The "buddy system" of two children, is no substitute. Even people that can swim, very well, can drown when they bump their head, become entrapped, or have medical emergencies like seizures or black outs. DON'T LET THEM OUT OF YOUR SIGHT!
• Pools and spas are attractive to children; what the court calls an "attractive nuisance". There must be a permanent barrier to entry. Local ordinances will specify a 3 - sided or a 4 - sided, non-climbable fence with self-closing, self-latching mechanisms on the gate. The gate should be locked when the pool is not in use. Do not place chairs or tables near a fence which would allow a child to climb over. Portable, above ground spas should have a hard top that locks on, preventing its use.
• In addition to a barrier around the pool, NSPI promotes an idea called Layers of Protection, and has produced a pamphlet under the same name. This is the combination of many safety features working together to form several "layers" of safety protection around a swimming pool or spa. A simple fence just won't do to protect the pool when it is not under supervision. Door exit alarms, infrared detectors or security cameras. Pool alarms, child alarms, or pool safety covers will all help to prevent accidents.
• Ensure that the pool is in clear view from the house, and not obstructed by plants, canopies, solid fences, or darkness. This is not so that you can watch your swimmers from the house; rather to ensure that the pool is not in use when it is not supposed to be.
• Place a phone nearby the pool with emergency numbers (911) listed. Signage about the pool, with "pool rules" is a good idea, but remember to always instruct new users of your pool to what is allowed and what is not. Having a pool can make you popular with neighborhood friends of your children. If rules are not followed, do not allow these children to use the pool.
• Having rescue equipment on hand can help prevent a drowning person from drowning someone else. Ring buoys & reaching poles should be at the ready. First aid kits should be nearby also.
• If you use a pool or spa cover, follow all instructions for their safe installation, use and maintenance. Always remove a cover completely before using the pool, and do not let standing water remain on top; pump it off.
• Do not allow children to play near a pool. Games and bike riding can result in someone going in, perhaps bumping their head on the way.
• Learn CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation).
• Have your children take swimming lessons at an early age.

What about diving boards? Are they safe?

If installed, maintained and used properly.

• If the diving board bothers you, have it removed. If it is too large for the length and depth of the pool (found on many older pools) have it removed.
• Inspect the board, the stand, and the hardware for signs of age, cracking, rust, etc.
• Do Not allow any drinking and diving. Place a chair on top of the board, with a "No Diving" sign during pool parties.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on safe diving practices, or consult NSPI's pamphlet "Knowing how to dive can be worth more than gold". Instruct all users of your diving board on proper technique.