exercise & health

BY ERIKA JANES , R . N ., INJURY PREVENTION COORDINATOR , NORTON CHILDREN ’ S PREVENTION & WELLNESS

Imagine you are at a pool party with your young child . Everyone seems to be having a good time and you are watching your child from the side of the pool . You turn your head for a few seconds to ask another mom a question , and when you turn back , your child is struggling in the water . You rush to pull your child out of the pool . Your child is visibly upset , but other than coughing up a little water , seems fine once he or she calms down . Aside from being a panicked parent for a bit , and now more cautious around the pool , you assume your child is safely out of the water and out of danger . You could be wrong .

Many parents are unaware of a life-threatening danger known as “ secondary drowning ” that can happen after a near-drowning or close call . Even if the child appears well initially , his or her condition can change rapidly and dramatically hours or even days after the event .

If the child breathed any type of water — from a pool , lake , ocean , even a bathtub — into the lungs , damage to the lungs could occur . Water-damaged lungs can no longer provide oxygen to the body . Respiratory problems develop and can become irreversible in a matter of minutes , leading to secondary drowning . Because of the danger , it is critical that anyone who experiences a near-drowning or other close call in the water seek emergency medical care immediately .

SIGNS TO WATCH FOR INCLUDE : Change in level of consciousness or personality Extreme tiredness or weakness Cough with or without pink , frothy mucus Whistling or abnormal sounds while breathing Vomiting Breathing fast or not at all Turning blue Unconsciousness

Remember , anyone who experiences a near-drowning or close-call event must be seen by a medical professional after being rescued from the water .

Drowning is preventable . Active supervision is key to ensuring water safety , from the bathtub to the neighborhood pool .

ACTIVE SUPERVISION MEANS : Staying alert and avoiding distractions such as reading , eating or talking on the phone Never taking your eyes off children or leaving them unattended in or around water Continuously scanning the water ’ s surface and the bottom of the pool Stopping unsafe play and running in the pool area Knowing where to locate and how to use pool safety equipment Keeping a phone near the pool for emergency use only

Do you want to learn more about water safety and keeping your child safe ? Call 502.629 . KIDS for more information and to request a Water Watcher card .

16 EXTOL • JUNE / JULY 2017