With August, National Drowning Impact Awareness Month, approaching, I wanted to take this time to bring attention to a national campaign that involves drowning awareness. In my 14 plus years of running EMS as an EMT, Paramedic, Flight Paramedic and now as a member of the Fire Department, I have been faced with this tragic event on several occasions.
A drowning is an event that you will remember for the rest of your life and/or your career. Most other calls, unless obscure or different from the hundreds of others that you face, just fade away, but that is not the case with a drowning. You hear about these events and think to yourself, ‘that could never happen to me or my family,’ and I hope none of you have to experience this type of event – but no one person is immune to it. A drowning is not biased based on race, color, religion, social economical status or sex.
Arizona has led the nation in drowning and non-fatal drowning events for the past several years. Nationally, drowning is the leading cause of death for children less than four years of age and the second leading cause of death in children under 14 years of age, second only to motor vehicle accidents.
Where does a drowning occur? A drowning can occur in any place that water is present and prevents an individual from removing his or her face (nose and mouth) from that water source. Here in the City of Maricopa we have additional hazards such as community pools without life guards, community lakes, fountains, canals and, of course, the more common hazards including swimming pools, spas, bathtubs, toilets and buckets.
Arizona Statistics for 2005-2007 (Maricopa County):
Total Incidents Deaths Children Fatalities
2005 158 55 22
2006 159 52 10
2007 95 30 10 (as of July 24th)
The City of Maricopa has had no reports of a drowning or submersion incident this year. Our goal is to maintain this trend for as long as possible and help to educate and motivate all the members of the community to become active members of our water safety program. The motto for the Maricopa Fire Department drowning prevention program is “Water Safety…it’s a family affair…”- and we believe that.
I was recently able to attend the National Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Symposium in Phoenix and was able to make contact with several people in the Valley and nationwide to share information and teaching materials and to listen to very influential speakers. The basic information is all the same.
“I was only gone for a second….” This phrase haunts so many people that have been affected directly or indirectly by a drowning or non-fatal drowning event. What seemed like “a few seconds.” statistics show were closer to 5-10 minutes of unaccountable time. Answering the phone, the doorbell, running to the restroom, checking the mail – all these events can leave a youngster alone long enough for him or her to drown. Permanent, irreversible brain damage only takes 4-6 minutes without oxygen to the brain; take a moment to think about that before you run to do something else.
Throughout the month of August I will be providing follow up articles to outline some of the basic information that we all need to be aware of and some easy ways to help prevent this tragic event from happening in OUR community. At the conclusion of this series you will be provided with the information to help prevent a drowning through education and classes that are available in Maricopa. Remember: “Water Safety…truly is a Family Affair!”
Photos courtesy of Paramedic Carlos Schulz
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