Children's Safety Zone

It may seem odd to kick off drowning awareness month as the summer is winding down, but officials say as back-to-school activities pick up, parents can get distracted, possibly leading to a spike in drownings.

That’s why first responders and physicians gathered outside the Hillenbrand Aquatic Center at the University of Arizona on Wednesday for the third annual Safe Kids Tucson, which kicks off Drowning Impact Awareness Month.

In the first half of 2011, three children drowned in Pima County, fire officials said. In 2010, one child drowned in the county. Nine other children have been injured during near-drownings in the county this year.

Dr. Terence O’Keeffe, a trauma surgeon at University Medical Center who has treated many near-drowning victims, emphasized the danger.

“I will be so happy if I never have to see another pediatric near-drowning again in my life,” he said.

Arizona has the second-highest drowning rate, behind Florida, said Tracy Koslowski, a spokeswoman with Drexel Heights fire.

In Maricopa County alone, 13 children have drowned this year, she said.

“We can’t just say it’s about supervision. We can’t just say it’s about barriers and we can’t just say it’s about swim lessons,” Koslowski said. “It’s about all of it.”

Druann Letter buried her young son 13 years ago after he fell into the family’s pool in Gilbert.

Weston, or “Wessie” as his best friends called him, was an energetic 3-year-old who loved firetrucks, bugs, lizards and his twin sisters, she said.

Weston’s father, a firefighter trained in CPR, lost sight of the boy for a short moment in the backyard and he fell into the pool. Weston died that day in May 1998.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him, and what could’ve happened if our gate was locked,” Letter said.

DID YOU KNOW

Local fire officials are now classifying all near-drownings as “non-fatal drownings” saying that even if the child survives, the physical and neurological damage from being underwater can be permanent and extensive, Tracy Koslowski, a spokeswoman for Drexel Heights Fire District.

2011 drownings

• June 12 – A 2-year-old girl drowned in a spa on Tucson’s east side.
• May 22 – A 6-year-old girl drowned in a pool during a party on Tucson’s northwest side.
• Feb. 16 – A 3-year-old boy drowned in a pool in Oro Valley.

For more information on pool safety, contact Safe Kids Tucson at 324-2783 or email safekidstucson@tmcaz.com Contact reporter Fernanda Echavarri at fechavarri@azstarnet.com or 573-4224.

TUCSON – So far this swim season Pima County’s recorded 10-water incidents involving children. Three of those kids drowned so there’s no substitute for the ABC’s of swim safety.

There is however another layer of protection that first responders want you to know about.

Life vests can be another layer of protection in open water and the pool. They are not a guaranteed lifesaver but a good tool.

After all, we make our kids wear helmets when they ride their bikes.

“We make sure that when we will be going for a ride in a car, that they’re buckled up in their car seat or booster seat,” say Tracy Koslowski with Safe Kids Tucson.

Life jackets are required for kids 12 and under in open water. That’s the law.

Ed Huntsman runs the Boating Education Program with Arizona Game and Fish. He says, you need to get the right jacket for the person who will wear it.

“What you need to know about any life jacket is that it’s approved by the United States Coast Guard. When you’re shopping or looking, if you open up the life jacket, they all have a label inside that will tell you everything need to know about that life jacket.”

He says, it’s critical to follow the instructions. If a vest is too small for the child’s weight it will not hold him up. If it’s too big, it can slip off or entangle the child. And all the buckles need to be snapped.

“Because what happens is little Johnny or Suzie go in the water, the life jacket pops off because it’s going to float, they go down to the bottom especially if they aspirate any water. Game over!”

For information about open water safety and life vests visit the Az. Game and Fish website by clicking here.

PHOENIX – It’s the newest prescription doctors are handing out to children – not for medicine, but a prescription for swim lessons!

“They like to have something in their hand to tell them this is important..they’ll remember it,” said Lana Whitehead.

Whitehead is the owner of one of the most well-known swim schools in Arizona: Swim Kids USA. She helped write the actual prescription and the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona is on board as well. Now 50 doctors in the valley will be handing them out.

“I think they’re valuable. There’s been studies that show they are protective. They do not replace barriers or adult supervision, but children who are safe around water tend to have already had some swim lesson exposure,” said Dr. Judith Pendleton.

Think of it as a helpful suggestion – it’s not mandatory. Your insurance does not pay for it, but several swim schools will give discounted lessons.

“Arizona is always ranked first or second as far as drownings, so we definitely need something else..we’re missing something,” said Tracy Fejt of Cardon Children’s Medical Center.

Only one other state in the country has the swim prescription: Florida. That’s where the idea originally started.

Arizona and Florida are among the states with the most pools in the country.

“It’s unavoidable to be around water in Arizona. Everyone has a pool. Grandma and Grandpa have a pool. Friends have a pool,” said Jessica Johnson, a mother.

Johnson put her son in swim lessons at 6 months old. She says she likes the idea of a prescription for parents who may be hesitant about doing it.

“Well, hopefully it will get the idea in parents’ heads that this is something really important and parents tend to listen to doctors, so if doctors can get the idea out there, I think it’s a great thing.”

SWIMkids USA
2725 W. Guadalupe Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85202
480-820-9109
www.swimkidsaz.com

Pendleton Pediatrics
Dr. Judith Pendleton
1445 W. Chandler Blvd, Building B
Chandler, AZ 85224
480-782-5552
www.pendletonpeds.com

Cardon Children’s Medical Center
1400 S. Dobson Road
Mesa, AZ 85202
480-412-KIDS (5437)
www.bannerhealth.com

Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona
www.preventdrownings.org

SURPRISE, Ariz. “� A child has died after a near drowning incident in a Surprise pool.

Paramedics responded to a home near 183rd Avenue and Bell Road on Friday at about 4 p.m.

A 4-year-old boy was reportedly pulled from the backyard pool and was unresponsive.

The family was hosting a birthday party when they noticed they could not find the boy.

The child died Friday night.

Sunrise Family Center
21321 N. 86th Drive Peoria, AZ, 85382

PHONE: 623-773-7137
January 8, 2011
Saturday, 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM

ON THE WEB: www.peoriaaz.gov

PRICE: Free

The community is invited to take a brisk morning swim and help promote water safety. High school swim teams compete in relay races to kick things off at 8 a.m. The Big Plunge into the unheated pool, where temperatures are expected to be in the low 50s, follows at about 8:30 a.m. Those able to swim the 25 feet across the pool receive a T-shirt marking their accomplishment. The Lil’ Plunge, where youngsters can swim or wade in the pool. follows at about 8:45 a.m. Peoria Firefighters Charities cook up a warm breakfast for participants. Safety groups offer information, and inflatables and a water-safety obstacle course are set up. Call or e-mail aquatics@peoriaaz.gov for details.