“What should I do if kids accidentally drown?”
We just had a pool installed in our backyard and I have two little ones that still don't know how to swim. They're twins, so both of them are 3 years old. We are teaching them how to swim, but just curious, what should we do in case they drown?
3 Answers
Even as should go without saying, "drown-proofing" is important in young kids, but you absolutely should have effective fence/gate/latch to deter visitors (them or others), and it is wise to invest in a pool surface alarm--it is a LOUD alarm that floats on the surface of the pool and is motion sensitive--if a breeze blows it around, OK, but if a wave (like from someone falling in) jars it...!!! After these, be sure to remove the person from the water and call 911. You should be (or become) trained in CPR, as essentially that is what comes next: tilt the head back to open the airway and then look / listen / feel for any efforts at breathing (unless they are awake enough to be coughing--then keep them laying on one side or sitting up and observe them CLOSELY and CONTINUOUSLY until EMS arrives. If not breathing, then give two breaths via mouth to mouth-and-nose (for 3yo) or mouth to mouth (if older) or mouth to mask (if you have one), and check for a pulse at the carotid artery in the neck. If present, continue with rescue breathing until EMS arrives, if absent, begin CPR...did I mention that prevention is the best option? Good luck, and happy swimming!
You guys should learn Basic CPR and have an emergency phone handy by the pool. Good luck and enjoy the pool
Call 911 immediately. Teach your kids to swim. Install safety gates at all access points.
