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March 16, 2023
From Puget Sound to local lakes, ponds, and community pools, Kitsap residents are never far from water. Easy access to water enriches our lives, but also carries risks for people of all ages.
Our agency's Leading Causes of Unintentional Injury Death database indicates that drowning was the third leading accidental injury-related cause of death for those 34 years old and younger in Kitsap County.
This statistic is unfortunately consistent with nationwide trends. According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional, injury-related death for children ages 1-4 and remains a top 5 cause for people age 0 to 54.
No one is drown-proof. Even strong swimmers need to be monitored and educated in case of the scenario of an injury around water.
Drowning can happen in as little as 20 to 60 seconds. That's why we want to share the National Drowning Prevention Alliance's recommendations from the "5 Layers of Protection" campaign.
THE FIRST LAYER: BARRIERS AND ALARMS
While you'd ideally always have your eye on a child when they are in or near the water, that isn't always possible for one reason or another. The alliance recommends installing property protection, such as fencing around your pool or hot tub or a pool safety net, to keep everyone in the vicinity safe.
Alarms can also be placed on doors, windows, or gates in the event that they are opened by children when adults are not able to supervise. There are also surface and subsurface alarms that float and can sound both in the pool and the home if people enter.
These precautions are not possible at beaches, lakes, and other natural bodies of water so it is important to always be vigilant when a loved one is near water.
THE SECOND LAYER: CONSTANT & CAPABLE SUPERVISION
Regardless of whether your family swims at a pool, lake, or the ocean children should never be left unattended.
An adult should always stay within an arm's length of infants and toddlers when they are around water. Floatation devices are not a substitute for supervision.
Having a gathering near the water? Designate a "water watcher" to monitor people in or near the water. Water watchers should be switched out so supervision stays fresh.
THE THIRD LAYER: SKILLS TO SURVIVE IN THE WATER
Encourage children and adults to learn to swim if they do not know how.
Research shows that young children can reduce their drowning risk up to 88% if they take formal lessons, the Alliance says.
Swim instruction should include water safety and survival education at the appropriate developmental level. Instructors should be CPR certified and offer comprehensive classes that teach swimmers how to stay afloat without a life jacket.
After someone takes a class, that does not mean they're entirely safe around water. While they are more prepared than before, they are still at risk of drowning.
THE FOURTH LAYER: LIFE JACKETS
Coast Guard-approved life jackets should be worn by everyone when in or around natural bodies of water. This includes lakes, rivers, and the ocean. They should also be worn when boating. Washington state law requires children 12 and younger to wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket in a vessel less than 19 feet in length unless in a fully enclosed area. All vessels, including kayaks and paddle boards, must carry at least one personal floatation device onboard.
People who cannot swim or are not strong swimmers should wear lifejackets when they are around any pool or waterbody without supervision.
Make sure your life jacket fits. Make sure every member of your household has a life jacket with a label that shows it can accommodate their size and weight. If the life jacket rides up above the wearer’s ears when they lift their arms, it’s too big. If the straps or zippers don’t close, it’s too small.
Make sure that you are wearing your life jacket before you enter the water. Inflatable arm bands, inner tubes, and other non-Coast Guard-certified devices are not a substitute for life jackets.
THE FIFTH LAYER: BE READY FOR AN EMERGENCY
Always keep a phone close when you are near the water. Make sure you can describe your location if you need to call for help.
Learn and practice CPR. Anyone who lives in a home with a pool or near a source of water should know CPR and rescue breathing; babysitters and caregivers should do the same. This training should be refreshed every one to two years.
Pool owners and boaters should enroll in a local water safety course that teaches proper rescue techniques, such as using a life-saving ring.
If a child is missing, check the pool or body of water first. Call 911 immediately if they cannot be located.
TAKE ACTION TO ENSURE WATER SAFETY
Become a Water Safety Champion with National Drowning Prevention Alliance.
Learn more about how to swim safely from Seattle-King County.
Find water safety programs and events through Seattle Children's Resources for Drowning Prevention Professionals page.
CONTACT:
Tad Sooter | Public Information Officer
Kitsap Public Health District360-728-2330 - office | (360) 728-2235 - main
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