NSW Ambulance paramedics are urging vigilance around pools and waterways with figures showing paramedics responded to 225 drownings/near drownings and cardiac arrests under water in the past two months (1 November to 2 January).
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Inspector John Brotherhood, who has attended several of these incidents including the near-drowning of a two-year-old boy in a front yard fountain at Fairfield West yesterday, said the trauma suffered by families and bystanders at such incidents cannot be over-stated.
“Anybody who has experienced the horror of a drowning or near-drowning knows it is extremely traumatic for everyone, especially when children are involved. For us, these patient responses are not just about the patient but the family who are left behind,” he said.
He added that the effect on emergency service personnel was also immense.
“It’s hard on police and our staff. One of our paramedics has attended five such incidents in the last three weeks, two of them in the last two days.
“At one scene, a sibling pleaded with paramedics to save her unconscious brother. The NSW Ambulance Chaplain is called in to assist not only bystanders but staff as well.”
Inspector Brotherhood, a paramedic of 30 years, said vigilance is essential wherever there is water, no matter the amount, or how old the child.
“We had a toddler who recently drowned in a nappy bucket. He just crawled up, fell in and couldn’t get himself out.
“Another case we attended, the lock was broken on the pool gate and the family thought, ‘We’ll get around to it’. In almost every case I’ve attended, it’s been the same story, the pool gates haven’t been fixed; the parents have been distracted or the kids have wandered out and got into trouble.
“Nobody intends for these tragedies to happen, but paramedics sadly see time and again they do.
“Kids will be kids, so it’s about being vigilant; knowing where your child is and keeping an eye on them at all times; and maintaining safety around pools.”
He said displaying a CPR chart in a prominent area of pools was essential, as well as also learning CPR.
“Yesterday’s response at Fairfield demonstrated the value of CPR. When we arrived on scene CPR was being performed.
“We encourage everyone to attend an accredited first aid course and learn CPR – this can give you the confidence to assist and may help save a life.”
He added that being water wise around areas which involve the unknown, such as rivers, creeks, dams and estuaries is also essential. He warned that unless the advice was heeded, more drownings would occur.
“If you’re going to go swimming have a plan. Take a friend. Don’t drink and swim. Know your limitations. With rivers and estuaries, check for submerged objects and also the depth before jumping in. If you don’t know the area, talk to people who do beforehand.”
“At the beach, look for rips, swim between the flags, and obey instructions from lifeguards. If you get an uneven bottom, you can easily find yourself out of your depth – well out of your comfort zone and unable to get back to shore.”
“When it comes to pools there should be strict adherence to safety guidelines including keeping gates properly closed, removing any items kids can use to climb fences, displaying a CPR chart at all times and knowing what to do in an emergency.”
NSW Ambulance also advises:
in a medical emergency dial Triple Zero (000) and ask for Ambulance;
- enrol your child in swimming lessons;
- don’t expect older children to look after younger siblings - children are easily distracted;
- check that your pool fence complies with the latest Australian Standards and is in good condition;
- take pool toys out when finished in the pool, so children can’t be tempted to try and get them; and
- don’t drink alcohol while swimming. If you plan to swim or especially when supervising children swimming. Alcohol increases the risk of drowning as it can impair judgment, slow reaction times, impair coordination and result in greater risk taking behaviour.
According to the 2016 Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report, 280 people died in Australian waterways between 1 July 2015 and 30 June 2016 (96 occurring in NSW). This represents a five per cent increase on the 267 drowning deaths recorded the previous year. Males accounted for 83 per cent of the deaths.
For further information, http://www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au,
http://www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au/pool-safety/
http://www.watersafety.nsw.gov.au/beach-safety/
