If we’re honest, most of us think drowning will never touch our lives. I truly wish that water death was rare, however, I know firsthand that this tragedy happens all too often in the Puget Sound area. Last summer had one of the higher incidences of drowning in years, with 18 King County victims in the first six months alone. Most victims were male and all the drownings oc-curred in areas without lifeguards and in open water. Excellent data supports the fact that our most vulnerable population segment is males between the ages of 15 and 24. Tony Gomez, the injury-prevention manager for Public Health, said that young men are at particular risk of drowning because they
often swim in locations without lifeguards. They’re more prone to decide on a whim to go swimming in a river after school or work, and in May and June the water temperature of rivers and lakes is generally around 40 degrees. Gomez said that in the early days of summer many boys and young men ignore safety rules. Alcohol is estimated to be involved in 30 to 50 percent of adolescent and adult drownings.
Swimming lessons are important for a variety of reasons, but there is no data to suggest they actually decrease the risk of drowning. Older children who know how to swim well in a pool may not do well in another body of water. Even the best swimmers can be vulnerable in adverse conditions. Alarmingly, swimming proficiency might actually lead to more drowning through increased exposure to water. A study done by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that older children and young adults who are better swimmers are likely to participate in more water-related activities and may feel confident enough to swim in higher-risk settings, such as remote natural bodies of water with no lifeguards present.
Even if the air temperature is in the 70s or 80s, cold water makes it more difficult to swim because muscles tire out more quickly, even among the most-experienced swimmers. Last year the most common sites for drowning in open water in King County were Lake Washington, Lake Sammamish, the Green River and the Snoqualmie River. Other high-risk factors are fast currents and unexpectedly shallow water. Diving or jumping into shallow water can cause devastating spinal injury.
Other studies suggest that medical conditions may contribute to the risk of drowning. Children with epilepsy are at higher risk of submersion and those with autism may also be at an increased risk. Some heart conditions (such as arrhythmias) could also contribute to sudden, unexplained drowning. Of course, young children have an extraordinarily high risk, and should be attentively watched at all times when near or in a body of water. In a 10-year study of childhood submersions in King County, inadequate supervision was the most common factor. Leaving an infant
unattended in the bathtub, or in the care of another child, is very risky, even for the few short seconds it takes to answer the phone or do a simple household chore. Drowning usually occurs in silence without attracting attention. The struggle to breathe is too difficult, and it only takes a few seconds. Remember that hot tubs and other home spas are equally dangerous. Four-sided fencing that cannot be easily climbed and that isolates the pool from the house and yard is highly recommended for pool owners, as it decreases the number of pool immersion injuries among young children by more than 50 percent. Pool alarms and rigid pool covers are also helpful.
It’s a good idea to learn CPR, because immediate resuscitation, before the arrival of the paramedics, can significantly improve the neurological outcome in children with a submersion injury. Mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing and chest compressions (when a heartbeat is absent) can make a huge difference in the final outcome. CPR classes are widely available throughout King County, including regularly offered classes at Bellevue Club and Overlake Hospital Medical Center. For those of us living on the Eastside, there are fortunately some wonderful open water options available that have the added benefit of
a lifeguard on duty from noon to
7 p.m. daily through Labor Day. Those beaches include Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland, Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island and Pine Lake in Sammamish. My final advice is to have a healthy respect for the water, and err on the side of caution. We have a beautiful water-laden geography, and plenty of safe ways to enjoy it, including swimming and boating. Always remember your life vest and please think before you leap.
