Water Safety Pool Safety July 2006

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Water Safety: Ask The Experts

Drowning Prevention: Multidisciplinary Perspectives

James M. DeCarli, MPH, MPA, CHES

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Overview

• Common Characteristics & Lessons Learned of Pool Systems– Public/Community– Private/Backyard

• Lessons Applied-Community Prevention• Community Outreach Efforts

– Safe Kids Los Angeles

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Swimming Pool Prevention Systems

• Public/Community

• Private/Backyard

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Public/Community Pools

• Controlled Environment

• Enforcement of Rules & Regulations

• Lifeguards

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Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools

Risk Factors of Drowning

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Anatomy of a Submersion Fatality–

Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools

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Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools

Pools In-Use: Active Supervision

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Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools

Pools Not In-Use: Layers of Protection

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Private/Backyard Pools

• Lack Drowning Prevention Training

• Unsatisfactory inSupervision & Layersof Protection

• Results: Increases Drowning Risk Factors

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Lessons Learned: Private/Backyard Pools

Pool In-UseSupervision

• Quality of supervision often fails

• 90% of childhood drowning incidents occurred under adult supervision (National Safe Kids 2004)

• Approach fails

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Lessons Learned: Private/Backyard Pools

Pool Not In-UseLayers of Protection

• Quality of layers of protection often fail

• 50% of childhood victims last seen inside home, before found drowned (CPSC)

• 69% of toddlers not expected to be in pool area (CPSC)

• 77% of victims missing for 5-minutes or less before found in pool (CPSC)

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Lessons Learned: Private/Backyard Pools

Pool Not In-UseLayers of Protection Case

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Lessons Applied: Private/Backyard Pools

Pool In-UseSupervision

• Supervise like a lifeguard– Eyes on children– Not partake in other activities– Designate another adult for breaks– Pool parties: Consider hiring a lifeguard

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Lessons Applied : Private/Backyard Pools

Pool Not In-UseLayers of Protection

• After use, account that everyone is out of pool• Remove any inflatable toys from pool area• Ensure self-closing/self-latching gate is in

working order and locked after use• Ensure lawn equipment, chairs, tables are not

close to fence to prevent a child from climbing over

• Ensure that any doors or windows that may lead to the pool area are locked and have alarms activated

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Lessons Applied : Private/Backyard Pools

Pool Not In-UseAdditional Layers of Protection

• Isolation fence• Self-closing/Self-latching gate open outward away from

pool• Door & windows leading to the pool area, be self-

closing/self-latching and alarmed• Power operated pool covers be properly maintained• Keep phone at poolside for emergency use• Learn CPR• Keep lifesaving ring and shepherd’s hook in pool area &

know how to use it• Do not consider children “drownproof” because they have

had swimming lessons

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Drowning Prevention Strategies

• Target • parents and• pool owners

• Prevention approach– Pool in-use: active supervision– Pool not in-use: layers of protection

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Community Outreach Efforts

Public Agencies

• Los Angeles County hospitals & clinics• Los Angeles County Fire Department• Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation

– 25 Community Pools: Pool safety education classes

– 83 Recreation Centers: Pool safety education materials

• 88-Incorporated Cities: Materials (in planning)

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Community Outreach Efforts

Non-Governmental AgenciesMedia

– 16-Broadcasts/news stories (May-August 2004): ABC, NBC, & Telemundo

– Media Event: Private/backyard pool• Local officials• Safe Kids LA• Fire Department• American Red Cross• Link with drowning case

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Community Outreach Efforts

Non-Governmental Agencies, continued

– ABC’s of a Safe Summer Program• ABC7 & American Red Cross• At-A-Glance:

• Water Safety• Fire Safety• First Aid• CPR

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Summary

• Designing Drowning Prevention Interventions:– Target parents & pool owners– When the pool is in-use– When the pool is not in-use

• When the pool is in-use:– “Active” supervision

• Lifeguard

• When the pool is not in-use:– Layers of protection

• Secure pool similar to a public/community pool

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• Contact Information:– [email protected]– (213) 351-7888