Drowning Signs Aren't Like The Movies

Updated: Wednesday, 27 Jul 2011, 10:47 PM EDT
Published : Wednesday, 27 Jul 2011, 6:01 PM EDT

• George Richert
• Posted by: Eli George

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - If you picture what you think a person looks when when they are on the verge of drowning, do you see them waving their arms and yelling for help? That might be what happens in movies, but in real life, it's a much different scene.

There are people very close to him who didn't realize a boy was drowning.

Instinctive drowning response educator Dr. Frank Pia said, "This young boy does not have any movement in or out from shore, neither left nor right, he remains in the same position and extends his arms out to the sides. Drowning people don't have a choice; nature tells them what to do."

After 20 years as a lifeguard, witnessing thousands of people close to drowning on Orchard Beach in the Bronx, Dr. Pia captured what he calls the "Instinctive Drowning Response."

"The young boy's mouth is sinking below and re-appearing above the surface of the water," said Dr. Pia.

Most drowning victims can't yell for help because they're having trouble breathing, and their arms are busy grabbing the surface of the water.

But when help arrives, Dr. Pia says, "You'll see the young boy's struggle immediately stop and during the rescue, the lifeguard props him further and further. The further the boy's mouth gets from the water, you'll see his heading turning around, so he's looking for safety. Parents, you have to understand that the struggle of the drowning person lasts between 20 and 60 seconds. Young children struggle less than adults. The drowning movements of a young child can look like they're actually doing the dog paddle in the water when they're actually drowning."

Beware, drowning doesn’t look like drowning!

The Instinctive Drowning Response – so named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC).

Drowning signs aren’t like the movies: wivb.com

Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs – Vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder.

Watch video here http://www.swimmersdaily.com/2012/06/28/beware-drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning/

Swimming Pool Fencing – A Must for Anyone Building a New Pool

Keep Children Safe and Intruders Out with Baby Guard Swimming Pool Fences

When having a pool installed, one must also have a swimming pool fence.

Safety First

With swimming pool fencing, one can be sure that neighbors and children will be safe. A swimming pool fence will keep small children from wandering away and drowning in the pool. It will also help keep unwanted people from taking a swim while the owners are not around.

Convenience

Pool fences must meet all safety standards. There are companies that specialize in temporary fences for pools. These companies will send employees to set the pool fence up. Once the property owner is ready to install a permanent fence, the company will send employees to take the temporary fence down and remove it from the property.

Regulations

Both the permanent fence and the temporary fence should meet certain regulations. Before a pool can be filled with more than 300mm of water, it must be surrounded by a fence. The fence must not be climbable. There should not be any footholds deeper than 10mm.

The fence must also be at least 1200mm high and should be made with durable materials. Some suitable materials include timber, fibre cement, glass, and steel. As long as the material meets the strength standards and cannot be climbed, it will be suitable for the fence.

The fence must not be close enough to other objects which may make it possible for people to jump the fence. These objects, including trees and balconies, should at least 900mm from the fence. The gap at the bottom should also be small enough that no one can crawl under the fence. The gap must be no more than 100mm.

All pool fences, whether temporary or permanent, require permits and inspections.Above ground pools may also require a fence. If the pool holds more than 300mm of water, a qualified fence must surround it. People who have backyard pools need to register the pools in order to get an inspection and compliance certificate. These certificates are valid for two years for backyard pools. For pools that are being shared at places such as caravan parks, motels, and apartments, the inspection and compliance certificate will be valid for one year.

Baby Guard Swimming Pool Fences help keep children safe and intruders out. Avoid trouble by following all pool fencing laws.