-Groups at highest risk included African Americans, males, adolescents ages 15-19, and children under age 5.
-Most drownings occurred in the Spring and Summer. Most drownings occurred in the afternoon and evening between 12 noon and 10:00 P.M.
-More drownings occurred on Saturday than on any other day of the week.
-Adolescents drowned almost exclusively in natural bodies of water
such as rivers and lakes, most often while engaged in some sport or recreational
activity, such as wading or fishing, with at least one other person present.
Over 40% of these adolescents had a detectable blood alcohol and/or
drug level.
-Never leave small children unattended around any body of water . Small children don't often think of water as a danger and they are, by nature, very curious. Being left alone in or around water without supervision can be fatal.
-Learn CPR especially if you own a pool or live near the water. Valuable lifesaving seconds are lost by having to wait for Emergency Medical Services to arrive to begin CPR. Four to six minutes without oxygen can cause irreversible brain damage or death.
-Encourage older children and adolescents to learn how to swim, but remember even good swimmers can drown. Swimming lessons are no substitute for supervision of young children in and around water and no one should ever swim alone.
-Teach children and adolescents to avoid conditions or situations which could create the potential for danger, e.g. swimming in nonpublic, restricted or isolated areas, or swimming in areas with strong, unstable or turbulent currents.
-Encourage adolescents to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages especially if they plan to engage in recreational water activities such as swimming, fishing, boating, etc.
-Approved personal floatation devices (PFDS) should be worn by all passengers in powered and unpowered watercraft, or by anyone who is unable to swim or unsure of their swimming abilities when in and around water. "Water Wings" are not a dependable flotation device and are no substitute for adult supervision of small children in and around water.
-Always swim in supervised areas and with friends.
-Never mix swimming and alcohol