Stay safe when floating and tubing
Floating and drowning accidents occur with people of all ages, but children are the most at risk. Every summer, people in Texas enjoy outdoor recreation in places such as Guadalupe, Comal, Frio, Landa Park and Lady Bird Lake. At times, families have loved ones who suffer injury or die as a result of drowning accidents.
What is drowning?
Drowning occurs when someone is immersed in water and has trouble breathing.. A fatal drowning is when after immersion, the person dies. Nonfatal drowning takes place when the person survives the drowning incident In some instances, they receive CPR and start breathing again. A range of outcomes can exist as a result of drowning. In the worst non-fatal drowning cases, victims suffer from brain damage and permanent disability.
What kind of drowning statistics does the U.S. have?
In the United States, drowning is a leading cause of death for children. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention):
- 4,000 fatal drownings (unintentional) occur in the U.S. every year, which is about 11 drownings per day
- 8,000 non-fatal drownings occur in a year, which is about 22 incidents per day
- Drowning is the main cause of death for children between the ages of 1–4. Most of these deaths occur in swimming pools.
- For children between the ages of 5–14, drowning is the second most common cause of death, with vehicle accidents being the number one cause.
What can you do to help prevent drownings?
The following are some safety guidelines you can follow:
- Do not allow your children to be around pools when unsupervised
- Become a strong swimmer and teach your children how to swim
- Use fencing to prevent young children from accessing a pool when unaccompanied by an adult
- Since most infants under one year of age drown in bathtubs, do not leave a young child unsupervised in a tub
- Wear life jackets when boating and swimming in waterways
- Do not drink alcohol or allow adolescents to drink alcohol when boating or swimming
- Ensure you and your children are not taking medications that can increase the risk of drowning. In particular, psychotropic drugs for depression and mental conditions pose a risk. They have similar side effects to alcohol.
Do you need legal help dealing with floating and drowning accidents?
Michael R. De La Paz has experience representing clients in floating and drowning accidents. Our firm can represent clients in accident cases throughout Texas and across the nation. Arrange a free consultation to evaluate your case.
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