CHILDREN’S HEALTH 4. Education TEACH CHILDREN TO SWIM Children should be familiarised with water from the newborn stage, and introduced to swimming lessons as early as possible. Don’t rely on floaties and floating devices for safety. LEARN RESUSCITATION Learning CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) could be the difference between life and death. Once you have learnt it, update your knowledge every few months. Always keep a mobile phone in the pool area to call 000 as quickly as possible. DEVELOP THEIR WATER SKILLS The most effective way to build children’s confidence in the water is to maintain their swimming lessons and contact with the water. Teach children about the importance of water safety and how to alert parents if another child is in danger. Kids Alive provides a comprehensive water safety video that covers children of all ages from newborn to pre-school. It also provides a CPR demonstration, tips on choosing a swimming school and features the famous ‘Kids Alive – Do the Five!’ water safety song for kids. Visit www.kidsalive.com.au. Secondary drowning Most parents would assume that once swimming time is over, so too is the risk of drowning. However, secondary drowning and ‘dry’ drowning occur when a child drowns on land but after submersion into water, sometimes even 48-72 hours later. This happens when a child has inhaled water, and although it’s less common than regular drowning, just six tablespoons of inhaled water is enough to kill a child. The two types are slightly different. With ‘dry’ drowning, which presents symptoms almost immediately after water inhalation, water doesn’t actually reach the lungs. Instead, the inhaled water causes the child’s vocal cords to spasm and shut down, making breathing difficult. Secondary drowning occurs when the child’s airways open up and allow water into the lungs, where it builds up and causes pulmonary edema; an abnormal build up of fluid in the lungs. Symptoms of secondary drowning usually show hours or days later. Signs of ‘dry’ or secondary drowning • Lethargy or extreme fatigue • Difficulty breathing • Irritability or mood swings • Chest pain • Shortness of breath • Persistent coughing • Fever If you suspect that your child has swallowed a dangerous amount of water, take them to the hospital, where doctors can monitor their condition and/or remove fluids through diuretics. Do not ignore the signs. What drowning looks like Drowning doesn’t always look like hands in the air and lots of splashing; most of the time, children who are drowning are already underwater. Sometimes drowning is silent. The following are all quiet signs of drowning: • The child is still, not waving and not making any noise, which is a sign of exhaustion • The child’s eyes are glassy and unable to focus • The child’s face is hard to see, as it may be covered in hair or clothing, which restricts breathing • The child appears peaceful or not in distress, meaning they have lost their ability to communicate that they’re in trouble • Total silence when the child is completely underwater For more information about child water safety, drowning prevention and tips on choosing a swimming school, please visit the following: Kids Alive www.kidsalive.com.au Kidspot www.kidspot.com.au Australian Water Safety Council www.watersafety.com.au 44 Pindara Magazine 2015
Pindara Private Hospital Magazine - Issue Six
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