The number of drowning incidents recorded at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas by the end of June is tracking close to last year, with drowning rates again at alarming levels. Data so far indicates 21 incidents compared to 22 last year, but four of them have resulted in deaths. They are among 60 child drowning deaths in Texas so far this year logged by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFP). TDFP issued its own warning in June that drownings are up statewide, also at an alarming rate.

"Dell Children's issued a community-wide water safety warning last year. This year, we are close to the same number, but a slightly higher percentage of deaths," says Pat Crocker, D.O., Medical Director of the Emergency Department at Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas. "Again we urge parents that close supervision is the absolute best prevention for drowning. We'd like to believe the fewer incidents here in Central Texas are a result of more parents heeding the warning and watching children closely."

According to Dr. Crocker, proper supervision around water is 'touch supervision,' meaning a parent is close enough to reach out to their child at all times. Parents also should avoid distractions such as talking on cell phones or reading, and avoid using alcohol while supervising their children around water. At parties, adds Dr. Crocker, hosts should assign parents to take turns watching the water never assume that someone else is taking care of it.

Central Texas drownings can occur anywhere water is present. That includes bathtubs; hot tubs; pools in homes, hotels or apartments; community pools or sports clubs; waterparks; rivers; and lakes.

Kids Don't Float Program

Safe Kids Austin recently received a grant and partnered with Travis County Parks, LCRA and the Central Texas Water Safety Coalition to attempt to reduce drowning fatalities in the lake area. Together these partners created a new life jacket safety resource at Lake Travis.

Life jackets have been placed on loaner boards at the two most popular swim areas - Mansfield Dam Recreation Area and Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point. Each loaner board holds 20 to 30 life jackets for children and adults to use free on the honor system, asking that they be returned with the user leaves the park.

Drowning Facts

Consider these facts concerning drowning from SAFE KIDS USA:

• When a child is submerged two minutes in water, he/she loses consciousness.
• Irreversible brain damage sets in after four to six minutes of water submersion.
• Most children die if they are found after 10 minutes in the water.

Young Children (0 to 11 years of age)

To help keep kids safe this pool season, Safe Kids USA recommends these precautions:

• If you have a pool or spa, or if your child visits a home that has a pool or spa, it should be surrounded on all four sides by a fence at least five feet high with gates that close and latch automatically. Studies estimate that this type of isolation fencing could prevent 50 percent to 90 percent of child drownings in residential pools.
  
  
• A pool or spa should be equipped with an anti-entrapment drain cover and a safety vacuum release system to prevent children from being caught in the suction of the drain. The powerful suction forces can trap a child underwater or cause internal injuries.
  
  
• Don't leave toys in or near the pool, where they could attract unsupervised kids. For extra protection, consider a pool alarm and alarms on the doors, windows and gates leading to the pool.
  
  
• Enroll your kids in swimming lessons around age 4, but don't assume swimming lessons make your child drown-proof. There is no substitute for active supervision.
  
  
• Remember: inflatable swimming toys such as water wings and noodles are not flotation devices and do not prevent drowning.
  
  
• Learn infant and child CPR. In less than two hours, you can learn effective interventions that can give a fighting chance to a child whose breathing and heartbeat have stopped. Contact your local hospital or Red Cross affiliate for information about local CPR classes.
  
  
• Keep rescue equipment, a phone and emergency numbers by the pool.
  
  
• These guidelines apply to inflatable and portable pools, not just in-ground pools. A child can drown in just an inch of water. Kiddie pools should be emptied and stored out of reach when not in use.

Adolescent children (12 to 18 years of age)

Although older children are more likely to know how to swim, they are at risk for drowning due to overestimation of their skills, unawareness of water currents or water depth, and when consuming alcohol or using drugs. To protect your adolescent from drowning, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers the following tips:

• Insist that your adolescent always swim with a buddy.
  
  
• Encourage your adolescent to take swimming, diving, and water safety or rescue classes to give him/her the skills needed to swim and dive safely. These classes may also prevent your adolescent from acting recklessly.
  
  
• Teach your adolescent never to swim or dive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  
  
• Make sure your adolescent checks the depth of the water before diving.

"It only takes a few seconds for child to slip under the water. Don't let your child become a statistic," warns Dr. Crocker. "Many people think their child will scream for help, but in reality they just slip under the water, frequently unnoticed, and drown. It happens in seconds."