Swimming will once again be a popular way for families to cool off and have fun this summer, but medical professionals warn that water activities can quickly become dangerous without proper supervision and safety precautions.
Dr. John Voyles of Ascension St. Vincent said drowning can happen much faster than many people realize.
“You’d be surprised, 15 to 20 seconds is enough to lead to a fatal drowning,” Dr. Voyles said.
He said one of the best forms of prevention is teaching children how to swim at an early age.
“Kids have an innate ability to swim early on, and if you kind of harness that ability and you keep them in the water each summer, and you have some instruction, you can teach them to learn to swim very early,” Voyles explained.
While public pools often have trained lifeguards on duty, experts say private pools can pose a greater risk. According to the National Drowning Alliance, about 88 percent of drowning accidents occur when at least one adult is present.
Safety recommendations for private pools include installing fences and alarms around pool areas, requiring life jackets when appropriate, restricting diving in shallow water, limiting horseplay, preventing running near pool edges, and increasing adult supervision.
Dr. Voyles also recommends assigning a designated “watch adult” whenever children are swimming. The system involves one adult being specifically responsible for monitoring swimmers at all times, often identified by wearing a wristband or similar item. When supervision duties change, the wristband is passed to another adult to avoid confusion.
“So you don’t have some miscommunication that could lead to something very dangerous,” Voyles said.
Officials also remind families that summer safety extends beyond the water. Heat and prolonged sun exposure can lead to serious sunburns and heat-related illnesses.
Dr. Voyles recommends sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and encourages parents to ensure children stay well hydrated. Due to their smaller body size, children typically require more hydration than adults and often sweat more quickly.
Parents are also encouraged to choose brightly colored swimsuits for children, such as yellow or orange, rather than blue shades that can blend into pool water and make children more difficult to see.