One of the best ways to beat the heat and have fun this summer is to go for a swim. Swimming provides excellent exercise and is a vital part of many family vacations and recreational opportunities offered in the summer. However, summer is the time of year when you and your loved ones are most at risk for drowning. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day, with drowning being the fifth leading cause of accidental death in the U.S. Keep reading for tips on how to avoid drowning, such as:
- Using life jackets
- Avoiding alcohol
- Maintaining proper emergency equipment
Wear a Life Jacket
As adults, we tend to think that only kids need life jackets. But even if you know how to swim, life jackets are a critical component for enjoying a day out on the water. Life jackets should be worn during water sports including boating and jet skiing. Wearing a life jacket can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 50%.
Avoid Alcohol
Among teens and adults, alcohol use is involved in 70 percent of deaths involving water recreation and 20 percent of boating deaths. It’s best to stick to water and fruit juice for hydration while swimming, boating and boarding.
RELATED ARTICLE: Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning
Know How to Respond to an Emergency
If you notice someone is missing, check the water first. If you see someone drowning, it is best to “throw before you go.” Throw a flotation device to them from boat, dock, or pool deck. If you enter the water, approach the victim from behind. A drowning person will panic, latch onto you, and possibly take you under with them. If you own a pool, make sure you have flotation devices in the pool area and the pool skimmer on the deck. You can use the pool skimmer to pull the person to the edge.
If you do not know CPR, what are you waiting on? Learn it! You could save a life in the time it takes the paramedics to arrive on the scene.
Contact Premier Urgent Care Chicago
Premier Urgent Care Center provides high-quality healthcare throughout the Chicago area, with urgent care services that are quick, convenient, and compassionate. We have a staff of highly trained and board certified physicians and physician assistants who can address the immediate healthcare needs of your whole family.
Check in next week for the second in this two-part series on drowning.
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