Sadly, its still an ongoing problemwithdrownings happening at anunprecedentedratehere, not just in lakes and rivers but alsoinpools and most are preventable. I think this subject should be kept visible.
We wish everyone to have a happy, fun-filled and SAFE summer. Following is an excerpt from an excellent artitcle regarding drowning.We encourage EVERY ONE to read it. This may just help you save someone's life... The full article can be found at: mariovittone.com The Instinctive Drowning Response so named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC). Drowning does not look like drowning Dr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guards On Scene Magazine, described the instinctive drowning response like this: 1.Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs. 2.Drowning peoples mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning peoples mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water. 3.Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the waters surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe. 4.Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment. 5.From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response peoples bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs. (Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006 (page 14)) This doesnt mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isnt in real trouble they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesnt last long but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc. Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water: Head low in the water, mouth at water level Head tilted back with mouth open Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus Eyes closed Hair over forehead or eyes Not using legs Vertical Hyperventilating or gasping Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway Trying to roll over on the back Ladder climb, rarely out of the water. So if a crew member falls overboard and everything looks OK dont be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they dont look like theyre drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them, Are you alright? If they can answer at all they probably are. If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parents children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why. Jen and Steve
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