Swimming security specialists urge prevention after 3 drowning deaths in 2 weeks

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – Three drowning deaths in two weeks have prompted swimming security specialists to remind the general public that such tragedies are preventable.

During these two weeks, a 20-year-old died at Oak Mountain and a 12-year-old and 10-year-old died at Turkey Creek.

Kristin Canan, Mountain Brook YMCA govt director, mentioned drowning is the primary reason for loss of life for youngsters ages 1 to 4 nationwide and in Alabama.

“We live in such a beautiful state. It has so many lakes and rivers and pools, and amazing bodies of water,” Canan mentioned. “What we know is that drowning unfortunately is the number one cause of death for kiddos 1 to 4 nationwide, and that’s true as well in Alabama.”

Canan mentioned the tragedies impression households, associates and communities.

“When our hearts break for those families, everything in us turns to: okay, so what can we do to prevent this?” she mentioned.

Water security fundamentals

Canan mentioned treating water with a wholesome degree of respect is essential, together with remaining calm when issues get tough.

“Staying calm, knowing that our body is going to be okay if our head goes under the water. Knowing how to hold our breath,” she mentioned. “When our body goes under the water, if we take a deep breath in, we end up taking in a whole lot of water which is scary and dangerous and so knowing, ‘Okay, if I fall in the water, how do I stay calm?’ is really that first level of comfort and skill.”

Once an individual can stay calm, Canan mentioned there are key swimming abilities to know.

“At the Y, we are so incredibly passionate about making sure that we’re getting in front of folks to provide those prevention, support, education skills like for instance, how to float on our backs or like for instance, how to swim and get to the side of the pool or to jump and turn,” she mentioned.

Being ready is life-saving whether or not close to a pool, lake or river, and whether or not swimming, tubing or on a ship, Canan mentioned.

“We don’t plan on anything happening while we’re on a boat, right? But we know that accidents happen, so to be prepared regardless of the situation is always the safest way to go,” she mentioned. “Not only that, it’s a life skill we can utilize for the rest of our lives.”

The YMCA provides swim classes for folks of all ages and scholarships. Canan mentioned cash ought to by no means be the rationale somebody can’t be taught to swim.

Get information alerts within the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our electronic mail publication right here.