Since the introduction of Water Park in the late 1940s, this recreational area has become popular especially for families with small children. But its popularity comes with a price. According to statistics, drowning is the second leading cause of preventable deaths among children ages one to 14.
Other statistics about drowning:
• More than one in every four fatal drowning victims are children ages 14 years and younger.
• Males, despite having better swimming abilities, are four times more likely to die from drowning than females. Experts said that men are risky which made the more vulnerable to water-related accidents.
• Minorities and Native Americans are more likely to drown than whites. Experts said cultural and social issues and physical environment (access to pools) are contributing factors for the drowning rates.
• African-Americans have the most limited swimming ability.
• Almost 20 percent of near-death drowning survivors suffer from permanent neurological disability. In drowning, the brain is deprived with oxygen which may cause learning disability, memory problems, and permanent loss of motor skills.
• Adults often drown in natural water settings than swimming pools.
• Seventy percent of boating fatalities is caused by drowning.
While Los Angeles Water Park Injury may happen in water amusement park and residential swimming pools, there are ways to reduce the risks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
1. Children should not be allowed to swim alone. Adults should supervise their children in swimming pool, even if this is shallow.
According to a study, drowning which involved children ages one to 4 often happen in residential swimming pools and have been out of sight in less than five minutes.
2. Put barriers and pool fencing. People should put barriers, at least four feet high, that will prevent young children from gaining access to the swimming pool.
3. Children should wear life jacket when swimming. Air-filled toys and floating devices which are put around the arms will not serve as substitutes for life jacket.
4. In recreational boating, adults and children should wear life jacket. According to statistics, nine out of 10 people who died in drowning were not wearing life jackets during recreational boating.
5. Do not go to the water park or residential pool when drunk. According to a study, more than half of fatal drowning in water park involved alcohol drinking and one in every five deaths in boating accidents.
6. Learn to swim. Probably the best way to avoid drowning is to teach children to swim. But it does not mean that adults should leave young children (especially four years and younger) unsupervised in swimming pools.
7. Swim with a buddy. In case that a person encounters an accident, at least someone can help him.
8. Water park owners should hire well-trained lifeguards.
9. Learn cardiovascular resuscitation (CPR). This skill can be a matter of life-and-death for victims of drowning.
10. Follow the warning signs; these were posted to provide safety.
11. Do not swim when there is a thunderstorm. There are reported cases when a lightning struck a swimming pool electrifying all the people there.
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