Drowning Prevention

Drowning prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Drowning can be a silent catastrophe, one that can happen in the few minutes it takes to answer a phone call or run inside for a towel. The 3 main layers of drowning prevention are:

Layer 1. Supervision:  Supervision, the first and most crucial layer of protection, means someone is always actively watching when a child is in the pool or around other bodies of water.

Layer 2. Barriers:  A child should never be able to enter a pool area unaccompanied by a guardian. Barriers physically block a child from a pool. It is also important to avoid drain entrapments. Do not let your children play or swim near drains or suction outlets.

Layer 3. Emergency Preparedness:  The moment a child stops breathing there is a small, precious window of time in which resuscitation may occur, but only if someone knows what to do. Even if you are not a parent, it is important to learn CPR. The techniques are easy to learn and can mean the difference between life and death. In an emergency, it is critical to have a phone nearby and immediately call 911.

Swim lessons are offered by several groups within our community.

To obtain more information on drowning prevention, please visit:

• Drowning Prevention Links