PBSO – Drowning Prevention PSA – Stay Alive!

PBSO – Drowning Prevention PSA – Stay Afloat!

In the United States, almost 4,000 people die from drowning each year. It’s in fact, the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages.

PBSO had a few incidents in the last few months, for that reason, we put a list together with a few precautionary tips to stay afloat:

Learn the Life-saving Skill

Swimming classes should not be seen as just another fun-under-the-sun summer camp for children. Learning how to swim is a life-saving skill. Everyone should know the basics; how to float, move through the water, and to hold their breath under water. These tricks can make all the difference. Adults, who can’t swim, it’s never too late, especially for parents.

Swim Under Surveillance

They don’t call them ‘lifeguards’ for no reason. These baywatchers are often seen on our beaches, swimming pools and other bathing facilities. Make sure to only swim in places where there is surveillance. That whistle saves lives, make sure to follow instructions. If at home, it is crucial for parents to supervise their children when swimming or bathing, at all times, no exceptions.

Fence It Up

For those homeowners with a pool, consider installing a fence if you live with young children, elderly, or disabled members.  Drowning is the leading cause of death among young children in Florida and also a significant cause of death for the elderly. Recently, PBSO had to rush to a near drowning incident of an Autistic Child, he is currently in “critical condition.” It’s important for young children, disabled and the elderly to wear life-jackets when traveling around natural bodies of water, such as lakes, the ocean or pools.

Be Prepared to Escape Car Underwater

Last month a Loxahatchee construction worker drowned after the front end loader he was using fell in a canal. According to the National Highway & Transportation Administration, about 400 people die every year in the U.S. from drowning in their vehicles. Yes, scary, but believe it or not, very few people know what to do in this event. With a couple of minutes to get out alive, it’s not recommended to get out through the door. Drivers are advise to have a window breaking tool handy. For those law-abiding citizens who wear seat belts, some of these tools come with a cutter in the case the seat belt gets stucked.

Try these tips to stay afloat and make sure to call us in case of an emergency.