CPR and Drowning Prevention for Parents: Be Ready Before Emergencies Happen

10 times every day. That’s how many fatal drownings there are in the United States alone.

The number of fatalities from drowning is around 4,000 people annually. Since drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages one to four, it’s vitally imperative that parents understand how to prevent drownings and, most importantly, how to help a victim of drowning in the event of a water emergency.

Knowing CPR can save the lives of children and babies who experience drowning or near-drowning. Rescue Training Institute’s classes on first aid and infant CPR classes for parents can help you feel at peace of mind when you’re enjoying your summer at the pool, lake, or boating. 

Drowning is a Top Risk for Children

As previously stated, drowning is a leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five. There are many common scenarios where child drowning may occur, including: 

• Backyard pools
  Owning a pool may give parents a false sense of security. The thought, “I can just run inside real quick to grab something,” can lead to disaster.
  
• Bathtubs
  Because bathtubs are so shallow, parents often imagine that drowning in them is unrealistic. This is a mistake, as, in 2023, 87 fatalities and 233 injuries related to bathtub drowning occurred in the US!
  
• Beach/Lake visits
  One of the reasons children can easily drown at the lake or beach is that the water’s visibility is very limited.
  

Another reason that drowning is so dangerous is that it is never like you imagine it to be. The general idea of drawing is that of noise, splashing, or yelling. Maybe you’ve seen that in a TV show or a movie before. But actual drowning is almost completely silent. It can occur very swiftly, often in under 60 seconds.

How to Prevent Drowning: Practical Steps for Parents

1. Always supervise children around water of any depth. For infants and toddlers, you should be within arm’s reach at any time. For older children, keep a close eye on them and be within reach in thirty seconds. Since 88% of children drown with at least one adult present, it’s essential to keep a close proximity and not take your eyes off your child when they’re in the water!
   
2. Install barriers and alarms around pools. Some options include alarms for gates and doors, as well as alarms that alert you when a child has entered the water. Barriers might include fences and pool covers. Many states and cities have requirements for pool fences to help prevent accidental drowning, especially the drowning of kids.
   
3. Learn water safety skills and teach kids to swim early. Infant rescue swimming can help toddlers know how to back float in case they fall into water. Teach children to view water with, while perhaps not fear, certainly with caution.
   
4. Avoid distractions like phones when supervising children near water. If you are distracted on your phone, you aren’t paying close enough attention to your child to reach them quickly in case of an emergency. 

Why Every Parent Needs to Take CPR Classes

CPR classes for parents by Rescue Training Institute are truly vital for every parent to take! CPR can double or triple a child’s chances of survival in a drowning event. A recent 2024 update by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics “recommends cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with rescue breaths and chest compressions to anyone in cardiac arrest following drowning after they’re taken out of the water.” With the swiftness of drowning and cardiac arrest, being set up for success by taking a CPR class cannot be overstated. 

Who else should take CPR classes? Grandparents, babysitters, caregivers, and anyone who works around kids! 

Specialized CPR Classes for Parents or Other Caregivers Offered by Rescue Training Institute

Childcare First Aid, CPR & AED Class combined with Babysitting Infant CPR Training Class.

Topics include: 

• Safety and Injury Prevention 
• First Aid
• Recognizing an emergency
• Hands-on infant CPR instruction
• Children and Emergencies
• Personal Safety
• Assessing for Response
• Activating EMS
• Basic Life-Supporting Skills
• Clearing and Protecting the Airway
• Circulation – Chest Compressions
• Unresponsive Patient
• Child/Infant CPR
• Sudden Cardiac Arrest
• Basic AED Operation
• Managing Shock
• Child/Infant Foreign Body Airway Obstruction
• Ongoing Assessment
• Warning Signs of Serious Illness
• Altered Level of Responsiveness
• Breathing Difficulty, Shortness of Breath
• Severe Abdominal Pain
• Mechanism for Significant Injury
• Specific First Aid Problems
• Moving Patients
• Emotional Impact of Providing First Aid Care

Rescue Training Institute emphasizes hands-on, expert-led instruction to give you peace of mind and confidence in emergency situations.

Be Ready Before Emergencies Happen

No doubt about it: when seconds count, like in a possible drowning, prevention and preparation save lives. Don’t wait for an emergency to learn CPR- by then it’s too late. Register for a CPR or babysitting first aid class today with Rescue Training Institute and be ready next time you’re at the lake or pool this summer.