Signs that a child is drowning and how to react in time

According to data obtained from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury and death among children aged 1 to 14 years. This is because most parents fail to recognize the signs of drowning. They believe in myths created by movies, advertisements and other sources, and in doing so, they put themselves and their loved ones in danger.

At the awesome.club We have prepared the list of the most important signs that a child is in danger so that you can act correctly and avoid an accident.

Frank Pia is a US lifeguard who has identified common drowning behaviors and documented his findings. He stated that the person who drowns does not announce the fact, and it is not evident to anyone except the trained eye.🇧🇷 This is a quick and generally silent process. Below are the signs that we should be aware of.

Unfortunately, drowning is not the convulsive flurry or cry for help that many people often expect. In truth, a drowning person can rarely say a word🇧🇷 This is explained by the fact that at the moment of extreme danger, she is struggling to breathe. That’s why it’s a big mistake to think that you can help your kids in a matter of seconds by listening to their voices.

As we said before, the main purpose of a drowning person is to keep their head above the water. This is why the arms usually extend out to the sides and alternately move up and down. These movements help to raise the surface of the water so that the drowning person has a chance to breathe. Remember that these actions require a lot of effort and that a child cannot stay afloat for a long time.

The body of a drowning person remains in an upright position and cannot find any support. As the process progresses, the head is submerged. The whole process can take 20 to 60 seconds.

There is evidence that people often manage to get back to shore. But that’s the only move they can make🇧🇷 Chaotic arm actions and lack of leg movement cannot propel a person in any direction. At the end of the process, you can only see the head and/or the hands in an attempt to gasp for air.

The following signs can also show that your child is in danger:

Empty, listless eyes that can’t focus (or closed) Breathing deeper and faster than normal or panting Hair on forehead or eyes Looks like climbing an invisible ladder Trying to roll onto its back

Here you have a list of actions if the accident has already occurred and your child is out of the water.

Make sure the child is breathing. If you have no signs of breathing, you should start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately. If she is breathing, take her to the nearest hospital to check her condition. If there is someone by your side, ask to call SAMU (192). If alone, focus on CPR until the child can breathe on their own. After that, call 192.

What can we do to keep our children safe? The Safe Water Kids organization shares important tips that will help you spend your summer or vacation stress-free.

Do not leave children unattended when in or near water. Don’t get distracted, because a few seconds can cost your life. Choose a lifeguard. If you are going out with friends, you can designate a responsible person to look after the children in or near the water for a certain amount of time. Teach children to swim. Consider your age and physical condition before making this decision. Make sure children who cannot swim wear a life jacket. Teach children that swimming in the open ocean is different from swimming in a pool. Explain about limited visibility, depth, uneven surfaces, currents and countercurrents. Learn basic rescue and CPR skills. This knowledge could one day help you save a life. It is very important to remember what to do and stay calm during an emergency.

Do you know any other signs that can help identify a drowning person? Can you suggest more tips on how to ensure children’s safety near water? Share your ideas with us in the comments!