If you are like me, you spend the entire year looking forward to summer. I love sunshine, warm weather, outdoor concerts, cookouts, and—most especially—lounging alongside any body of water. My parents joke that, as a child, I loved the water so much that I learned to swim before I learned to walk! Many of my favorite memories throughout my lifetime involve the interplay between the warm sun and splashes from a nearby beach or pool.
Attorney Courtney Winston (pictured far right) with her siblings
Relaxing poolside isn’t just fun and games because the danger of drowning lurks beneath the waters. I am reminded of an incident involving my sister and myself, years ago…
Once upon a time in Hilton Head
My sister, Ashley, and I are on vacation in South Carolina with our grandparents. She is five; I am seven. This trip is exceptionally special because neither of our parents nor our two younger siblings are with us. It is just us “big kids,” Grandmommy, and Poppop.
The condo accommodations were idyllic: There was a resort-style pool with a freeform shape and several waterslides. It was the biggest pool my sister and I had ever seen! The condo buildings formed the perimeter so that you could see the pool from every room. To say we were overjoyed would have been an understatement!
After changing into our matching bathing suits, Ashley and I ran full speed ahead toward the clear, blue water. We assured Grandmommy and Poppop that the swim lessons we were taking were enough to keep us afloat. We were “big kids,” so we didn’t need arm floaties or pool noodles.
Ashley splashes in first! Then she kept splashing. Then she started flailing around. Finally, she started choking down pool water and called for help. Poppop hadn’t made it down to the pool yet. Grandmommy was barely able to get her words out, “Can you help your sister?”
Into the water I went. Not only are Ashley and I close in age; we’re also close in size. Her splashing around and spitting chlorine water in my face was not making this rescue mission any easier. Eventually I grabbed her. More accurately, Ashley latched onto me. She wrapped her legs around my legs and her arms around my shoulders. Luckily, we are able to doggy paddle our way to the side of the pool, where Grandmommy scooped us out of the water.
The danger that lurks beneath
Our story had a happy ending, and Ashley and I were able to resume our vacation. It goes without saying that many stories end differently.
According to the American Red Cross:
- Ten people die each day from unintentional drowning, and on average two of them are under age 14.
- Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children ages one to four than any other cause, except birth defects.
- Drowning is the leading cause of death in autism for children and adults.
- For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
For racial minorities, people who live at or below the poverty line, and families that have a history of no or low swimming skills, the likelihood of drowning is above the national average.
The numbers:
- African-American children ages five to 19 drown in swimming pools at rates 5.5 times higher than those of Caucasian children in the same age range.
- 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have few-to-no swimming skills.
- 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have few to no swimming skills.
- When parents have no/low swimming skills, their children are also likely to lack proficient swimming abilities. This affects:
- 78% of African-American children
- 62% of Hispanic/Latino children
- 67% of Caucasian children
After years of decline, statistics now show that drowning rates are rising in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic may be partially to blame for the increase, given the limited access to pools and the potential for swimming lessons during that time. Between 2020 and 2022, about 500 more people died from drowning each year compared to 2019.
“When I just look at the overall numbers, with over 4,000 people dying – that’s over 12 people a day – that’s really one person every two hours. And those are lives, not numbers,” said Dr. Debra Houry, chief medical officer for the CDC.
Attorney Courtney Winston (pictured far right) with her siblings
Saving lives
On the bright side, most drownings are preventable, and while anyone can be susceptible to drowning, it’s also true that anyone can save a life. Consider the following:
- Learn to swim. For one to four year-old children, learning to swim can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent. Organizations like United States Swim School Association, USA Swimming, American Red Cross, and YMCA have online search options to help you locate swim lesson providers near you.
- Use a personal floatation device. Wearing a life jacket can reduce the risk of drowning by 50 percent, is required when riding on a boat, and can keep swimmers safe in other waterways. A life jacket is a safer alternative to arm floaties, floats, and pool noodles.
- Avoid alcohol when swimming. Studies have shown that intoxication may have played a role in 50-70 percent of all adult drowning deaths. Alcohol impairs judgment, slows reaction time, and decreases coordination and motor skills. So if you are planning to swim, reach for a non-alcoholic beverage.
- Pay attention. Drowning can happen suddenly and silently. If you see someone struggling to move arms or legs, coughing, or tilting their head back with their head low in the water, these could be signs of drowning.
- Use the buddy system. Never swim alone. A buddy can watch for signs of drowning, provide rescue, or call for help if needed.
- Stay engaged. Learn new and engaging techniques for all things water safety by downloading the Pool Safely App or reading publications by the Virginia Department of Health (disponible en espanol), World Health Organization, or Water Safety USA.
Following these tips can prevent drowning and protect you and your friends and family, ensuring that everyone enjoys the rest of their summer.
Attorney Courtney Winston
Call Us
At Allen & Allen, we understand that even the best-laid plans can go awry. If a loved one or someone you know is involved in a drowning incident due to someone else’s negligence, we can help. Call 1-866-388-1307 for a free consultation.
