Prevent drowning in toddlers

2023 Author: Anita Thornton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 11:16

On this national drowning prevention week, we bring you some tips to prevent drowning in toddlers.

According to Parachute Canada, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for Canadian children. Each year, nearly 60 children drown, which equates to more than two classrooms full of children. Each year, another 140 children must be hospitalized following a near-drowning which can create long-term sequelae.

John Mulvihill, Assistant Secretary General for Operations, Canadian Red Cross, notes that “drownings and near-drownings are a particularly heartbreaking tragedy when you consider that most of these events could have been prevented. Toddlers are more at risk because of their natural curiosity. Although they are able to walk, they lack stability and tend to be unaware of the risks around them. They also don't have the ability to get out of a bad situation.”

The study reports that nearly 50% of infants and toddlers were alone at the time of their drowning, 38% were under the supervision of adults and 17% of them were being watched by minors.

To decrease the number ofdrownings in toddlers and raise awareness among pool owners, the Red Cross recommends the following safety standards for residential swimming pools:

• Self-closing and self-locking gates.
• Completely surround outdoor pools with an appropriate fence.
• A phone and lifesaving devices by the pool.
• A fence and gate with a minimum height of 1.2m with a lock on the pool side.
• First aid and CPR training for pool owners.
• A watchful eye.
• Swimming and water safety lessons.

Swimming lessons

According to the Canadian Pediatric Society, swimming lessons in Canada for young babies are designed to get children used to water, give them confidence while teaching parents safety rules. However, a study by Parker and Blanksby stated that children could not master water confidence and basic aquatic skills until the age of four, regardless of the age at which lessons started. According to Blanksby, children learn the skills to swim freestyle at age 5½, despite starting lessons at age two, three, or four.

What to do?

DrowningIf he's breathing, call 911 and wait patiently for their arrival. On the other hand if hebreathe more, it is necessary to intervene quickly by carrying out artificial respiration (see below). Think of a risk of hypothermia, then cover your child so that he warms up.

Artificial respirationFirst of all, check the absence of breathing and possibly a pulse (at the neck artery). If necessary, combine artificial respiration with cardiac massage, explained below.

For BabiesMake sure baby's mouth is free of foreign objects. Place your mouth over the baby's nose and mouth and blow into both openings at the same time. Perform the equivalent of 25 to 30 breaths per minute (i.e. one breath every two seconds), until help arrives and while regularly monitoring the baby's pulse.

For older childrenBlow into your mouth by pinching your nose at a rate equivalent to 12 to 15 breaths per minute.

The lateral safety position

Above all, loosen the belt, collar, pants… This position consists of laying the child on his side, the leg on the ground is stretched, the other bent forward. The ground arm is stretched forward, the other arm bent. Tilt the head back slightly so the child can breathe well and make sure nothing is blocking the airway. This position is also valid for adults.

Cardiac massage for babies under one year old

• Call themrescue.
• Lay the baby down on flat, hard ground. Carefully tilt his head back, chin up, and check for any breathing. Then perform two mouth-to-mouth/nose breaths.
• Find out where you need to massage: at the level of the sternum (where the ribs meet). Place 3 fingers of one of your hands at this level.
• Perform 15 compressions alternating with 2 mouth-to-mouth/nose breaths, until the pulse returns to beating.
• Then continue artificial respiration until help arrives.
• Remember, there is no substitute for a course from St. John Ambulance or the Canadian Red Cross.

Cardiac massage for children aged 1 to 7

• Call for help.
• Lay the child down on flat, hard ground. Carefully tilt his head back, chin up, and check for any breathing. Then perform two mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths.
• Find out where you need to massage: at the level of the sternum (where the ribs meet).
• Place the heel of one of your hands here. Perform 15 compressions alternating with 2 mouth-to-mouth breaths, until the pulse returns to beating.
• Then continue artificial respiration until help arrives.

You will find relevant information, advice and statistics on the site of the National Institute of Public He alth.