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NO ONE IS DROWN-PROOF
RIVER AND LAKE WATER SAFETY
The Drowning Facts:
· In California, drowning is a leading cause of injury death for children
one through four years of age.
· For every drowning, an additional five near drownings are treated in an
emergency room.
Drownings usually occur silently and victims are
often believed to be playing in the water.
Myth: Drowning victims call for help………WRONG
Fact: Drowning is suffocation in water, it's a silent death.
Myth: Drowning victims are alone when they go under……....WRONG
Fact: Drownings occur in the middle of crowds. Drownings are often
mistaken for play, as victims try to push themselves out of the water.
Myth: Drownings don't occur quickly……. ..WRONG
Fact: Drownings can occur in as little as 20 seconds.
Myth: Victims are usually swimmers who went too far………WRONG
Fact: Drowning victims are usually poor swimmers or non-swimmers who never
intended to enter the water.
Myth: Children are safe if they know how to swim and
wear a personal floatation device…..WRONG
Fact: Children can easily panic and forget what they've learned. No one is
ever "drown-proof," not you nor your kids.
Myth: If my boat sinks I can always swim to shore…….WRONG
Fact: Many people, including strong swimmers, can be overcome by
hypothermia in cold water and drown. Cold water is dangerous, and the
shoreline may be farther than it looks.
To Prevent Drownings in a River or Lake, you should:
· Always supervise your children in and around water. Don't leave them
alone, even for an instant!
· Always wear a life jacket! California law requires anyone under 12 must
wear a life jacket while on a boat.
· Make sure the whole family learns to swim.
· Never swim alone.
· Learn CPR.
· Look before you leap.
· Drinking and swimming is just as dangerous as drinking and driving.
For more information feel free to contact the Sacramento
Metropolitan Fire District,
Community Services Division at (916) 566-4000.
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