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Drowning Prevention

In California, drowning is a leading cause of injury-related deaths among children under the age of five. Each year, near-drowning incidents result in life-long disabilities. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) and the Drowning Prevention Foundation continue to raise awareness on this issue, and remind parents and caregivers that drowning is preventable.

Child Injuries are Preventable

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information:
• Protect the Ones You Love
• Drowning Happens Quickly– Learn How to Reduce Your Risk
• Injury Prevention Coloring Books for download: English | Spanish
• Kids Health: Water Safety Instructions

Videos from PoolSafely and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC):

• Simple Steps Video
• Parent/Child interactive games to teach Drowning Prevention
• DDS Slide Show (DDS Safety Net)

California's Caseload of Near Drowning as Risk Factors (New Data)

• By Age Groups - December 2012 (PDF)
• By Residence Type - December 2012 (PDF)

Victims of near drowning accidents often experience disabilities for the remainder of their lives. These include central nervous system damage contributing to varying levels of brain damage, resulting in loss of memory, seizures, learning disabilities, paralysis, and sometimes coma. The surviving victims may also experience a lifetime of multiple medical problems including respiratory, cardiovascular, and neuromuscular disorders.

DROWNING DEATHS OF YOUNG CHILDREN RESIDING IN CALIFORNIA

2011 Pool Drowning

All Race and Ethnicity for Age 0 through 5 Age (years)

Number: 30 Children

2011 Pool and all Other Drowning Total

All Race and Ethnicity for Age 0 through 5 Age (years)

Number: 58 Children

Source: CDPH Vital Statistic Death Statistical Master Files, 2011

Prepared by California Department of Public Health, Safe and Active Communities Branch on April, 2013. See Epicenter: http://epicenter.cdph.ca.gov.

Current Laws

Require existing and new public swimming pools to be equipped with anti-entrapment devices and systems in order to prevent physical entrapment of swimmers.

California Health & Safety:

• Assembly Bill 1020, Emmerson. Public swimming pools: anti-entrapment devices and systems.
  (Source: Official California Legislative Information)
• Assembly Bill 2114, Smyth. Swimming Pool Safety.
  (Source: Official California Legislative Information)

California Department of Public Health:

• Toddler Pool and Spa Safety

Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SSAct)

Drowning Prevention Information & Links

• National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA)
• American Academy of Pediatrics: Pool Safety for Children
• American Academy of Pediatrics, Policy Statement-- Prevention of Drowning
• American Academy of Pediatrics, Technical Report-- Prevention of Drowning
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
  • Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools (PDF)
  • How to Plan for the UnExpected (PDF)
  • www.poolsafely.gov
  • Resources for Families and Caregivers (PDF)
    
• National Center for Injury and Prevention Control - Unintentional Drowning: Fact Sheet
• DDS Safety Net

Drowning Prevention Foundation Publications

• Safety Guidelines English (PDF)
  Steps to avoid drowning accidents include close and constant supervision of children at all times near water and provision of multiple layers of protection, including pool fencing, gates, automatic sliding door closers, pool alarms and automatic safety covers.
• Kids Aren't Drown Proof! Save A Life English| Spanish (PDF)
  An educational brochure that includes the safety guidelines and nine myths of drowning.
• Protect your Child Against Bathtub Drownings English | Spanish (PDF)

For assistance with locating drowning prevention resources, contact:
The Drowning Prevention Foundation
Nadina Riggsbee, President/Founder
Phone: (707) 747-0191
E-mail: nriggsbee@comcast.net