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WHAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT DROWNING

Drowning is a major concern worldwide.

Water is a source of joy for children of all ages but it requires a high degree of respect and caution. 

These days drowning is newly defined as “submersion in a liquid” and doesn’t assume death which may be confusing. That is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) all want us to have a better understanding not only of what it is, but how drowning can affect anyone, and how it impacts society.

Too often we assume that little ones are safe in water unless we hear a lot of splashing or a call for help but sadly, these responses rarely occur. Drowning is quick and silent. That is why it’s crucial that you be informed as to what actually happens when someone is in real trouble.  

Practicing life-saving skills is the responsibility of everyone involved in the care of your children. 

Save A Little Life™ works with all parents, family members, and trusted care providers regarding the risks, how drowning actually happens, and where it occurs.  We continue to emphasize the importance of drowning prevention and, of course, what we would need to do in the event of a real health emergency.  One thing we emphasize is that drowning victims can be saved if we recognize the problem and start CPR immediately.

Below you’ll find the latest statistics on drowning. We encourage you to read them carefully with the understanding that our intention is not to scare you but to inspire you.

As we like to say, Be Informed. Be Prepared. Be Safe.

GENERAL STATISTICS:

  • There is an average of 4,012 unintentional drownings per year
  • Drowning remains among the top 4 causes of death from age 54 and up
  • Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of injury-related death for children up to 14 years old
  • The U.S. averages 11 fatal drownings per day and an average of 22 non-fatal drownings per day
  • More than 40% of drownings treated in Emergency Departments require hospitalization, transfer or further care (compared with 8% of all unintentional injuries). Many of those who do not die will experience brain damage or other serious outcomes, often with long term disability
  • Drowning can occur in as little as 20-60 seconds
  • Nearly 80% of drowning deaths are among males due to increased exposure to water, risk-taking behavior and alcohol use

CHILD STATISTICS:

  • 88% of child drownings occur with at least 1 adult present
  • For every child that dies from drowning, another 7-8 require emergency department care for non-fatal drowning.  Nearly 70% of drownings of young children occur during non-swimming times
  • Two of three drowning incidents that take place in the home occur in a bathtub
  • 23% of child drownings happen during a family gathering near a pool

RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUP STATISTICS:

  • Drowning deaths rates for Black people are 1.5 times higher than the rates for White people.  These disparities are highest among Black children  ages 5-9
  • In swimming pools, Black children ages 10-14 years drown at rates 7.6 times higher than White children
  • Black children are more likely to drown in public pools, and White children and youth in residential pools
  • Drowning rates for Native American or Alaskan Native people ages 29 and younger are 2 times higher than the rates for White people

STATISTICS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND MEDICAL CONDITIONS: 

  • People with seizure disorders such as epilepsy are at a higher risk of fatal and non-fatal drowning than the general population  
  • Other conditions such as autism and heart conditions are also associated with a higher risk of drowning

Let us all be informed and prepared.  There is so much as stake.

NANNIES NEED A CPR AND FIRST-AID CLASS

Why Does My Nanny Need CPR and First Aid Training?

The question posed above is a good one. The answer I usually provide anyone who asks why their caregiver needs a life-saving course is: “Do we really have control over when bad events occur at home or anywhere else?” That answer suggests that parents stop and think about this issue. Their answer is usually self-evident. Of course we don’t.
Emergencies in the home have little or no warning as to when they will occur. This is why we emphasize the importance of two main areas: Prevention and, if and when needed, action.

The program offered by Save A Little Life ™ addresses and re-focuses on these two critical areas. The responsibilities we give our nannies/care-providers are awesome. They are not only your eyes and ears when parents are away from home, they really need the exact same understanding of how we prevent and, importantly when and how we act.

Simply and accurately put, they perform the most important job you will ever hire for. The vast majority of your home based help are smart, interested and utterly committed to your infant, toddler and child’s well-being. It is the parent’s job to make sure you are leaving your little ones in prepared hands.

First Aid and little ones

The first-aid component of the course is far more likely to be required. Cuts, bumps, splinters, head bonks and the like are quite common. Our experienced instructors review the most common of these incidents so that your nanny will be able to be decisive in their action. These actions may include:

* Responding to the more minor incidents noted above.
* Be able to understand when an injury, for example, needs the parent’s attention right away.
* Should be confident in explaining a situation that has occurred and do so succinctly and in a timely way.
* The competent use of first-aid supplies provided by the parent at home or elsewhere.
* Do their best to identify injuries or accidents that may require a visit to the E.R.
* Quickly identify higher risk concerns in or near your home where quick action may be needed to safeguard your small ones.

What we do

Save A Little Life ™ specializes in Pediatric CPR and First Aid for families and caregivers. Ask us about family discounts for those who have taken our class recently and need to have a caregiver trained too. Don’t wait!

Our next two certification courses are as follows:

Westside Nannies (En Espanol)
July 15, 2017
(Ask about our Special for this class, now through June 13, 2017!)
Westside Nannies (English)
July 22, 2017
Parents are welcome too, of course!

Have a safe and prosperous summer
Richard Pass, RN ,BS
Founder and Owner of Save A Little Life, inc.

COMPREHENSIVE CHANGES IN CPR GUIDELINES

During my 18 years as a CPR instructor I have seen new guidelines come and go. They appear about every 5-6 years and are often accompanied by declarations of “new and improved.” For the thousands of parents I have worked with over the years, new and improved is only meaningful if it translates into “Can I remember what to do if my baby isn’t breathing?“

Well, it’s that time again. The newest CPR guidelines have just been released and we’re very excited to share them with you.

WHAT’S NEW?

Pediatric CPR has essentially remained the same with an emphasis on immediate CPR for lifeless victims. The age-range for pediatric victims is now birth until puberty. This helps to clarify the typical differences between pediatric and adult CPR, usually based on the underlying causes. It is safe to say that most pediatric emergencies are of a respiratory (breathing) nature-requiring the rescuer to provide the same 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths. The chest compression depth is essentially the same (1/3 the depth of the infant/toddler/child’s chest wall). The 2 breaths that follow should be just enough to see/feel the victim’s chest wall rise. The pumping speed has been slightly altered to be somewhere between 100-120 pushes per minute, again, followed by two rescue breaths. CPR must continue until the victim starts to breath and/or move on their own, indicating the likely return of the victim’s own pulse.

Scientists who have studied these techniques now have a consensus on what works best when dealing with a dying person. Over the last decade considerable evidence now exists suggesting that good quality chest compressions will make the biggest difference in extreme emergencies requiring CPR. These changes were summarized by the American Heart Association in a recently released document. The highlights of that document are listed below. Please keep in mind that providing CPR to a victim is, in itself, not that difficult a task. It is also clear that one does not have to perform CPR perfectly in order to make a difference. Yet we do know that the worst thing you can do, if someone really needs you, is nothing. This may be the most important take-home message of all.

CPR Guidelines for Pediatric CPR

• Initiation of CPR, starting with chest compressions, rather than rescue breathing, is recommended and will lead to shorter delays.

• The emphasis should always be on quality chest compressions first, then check for breathing and provide rescue breaths.
• Depth of chest compressions for pediatric victims should be about 1/3 of the depth of the victim’s chest wall.

• Chest compressions are to be done in the middle of the breast bone at nipple height.

• Compression (pumping speed) should be at least 100 -120 per minute.

• After 30 chest compressions, administer 2 “rescue breaths” and then repeat with 30 chest compressions. Continue with this ratio of “30:2” – compressions to breaths until help arrives or the victim has a spontaneous return of breathing.

• Breaths provided should be just enough to get a normal rise in the victim’s chest wall.

• If spontaneous breathing or moving returns during CPR, stop immediately and observe the victim until help arrives.
• CPR for drowning victims is the same as described above.

• If a cell phone is immediately available it may be used IMMEDIATELY to call 9-1-1. If not available, begin CPR for up to 2 minutes (5 CPR cycles) before calling 9-1-1.

Most emergency health experts agree that during pediatric emergencies the CPR that is provided at the scene BEFORE PARAMEDICS ARRIVE gives the victim the best chance of survival. Thus, it is imperative that all parents, close family members or anyone else with primary care responsibilities for infants and/or children be trained and re-trained in current CPR skills.

The newest guidelines for adult CPR now include a similar approach. However, several things should be mentioned:

• Adult CPR may be provided with chest compressions only.

• If alone with an adult who collapses, CALL 9-1-1 first, then resume compressions until paramedics arrive.

• If an automatic defibrillator is nearby, have someone grab it and use it as directed prior to the arrival of paramedics.


Richard Pass, RN,BS, Director, Save A Little Life, inc.

Check our Events calendar
for upcoming CPR classes

or call

(818) 344-1442

PRIVATE CLASSES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE

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CPR GUIDELINES FOR DROWNING

As the weather heats up in Southern California, so does the risk of drowning. Drowning is the second leading cause of fatalities in the pediatric population and, as we know, too many of these events occur in the presence of a parent or care provider.

Our overriding emphasis should be focused on primary prevention. Should these measures fail, the immediate focus is on CPR, well before the arrival of the paramedics.

A recent study, published by the Department of Emergency Medicine at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia tends to confirm what is already well established: Bystander CPR is a major factor for a good outcome in near-drowning episodes.

During an 11 day period in January, 2007 (Summer season in Australia), eight children experienced drowning or near-drowning events. Four of the victims received CPR within 5 minutes of immersion and survived with good functional neurological outcomes (no brain damage.) The other four were not discovered for over 5 minutes and all of those children died.

Experts in the field of emergency medicine acknowledge that survival of drowning victims is usually a result of immediate CPR, prior to the arrival of paramedics. Many of those who survive are already conscious and breathing by the time an emergency responder arrives.

IF ALONE WITH A DROWNING VICTIM

If we hope to give the victim a chance of survival, CPR needs to be started IMMEDIATELY upon getting the victim out of the water. IF you are alone with the victim, perform CPR for at least 2 minutes before attempting to call 9-1-1. The current CPR guideline for drowning victims is 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. This is the same technique for victims on dry land.

Remember, the key emphasis is always on prevention. The gold standard of safety with babies & children is to remain within arms reach and always be focused on them.

Have a safe and fun summer season!