drowning | gutsandgrowth

Yesterday, a ICU colleague indicated that she really does not like to work on summer holiday weekends. While she is a hard worker, what she doesn’t like is seeing kids with drowning and firework injuries. All of a sudden a happy time becomes tragic. With that in mind, here are a few tips to prevent drowning.

From Strong4Life: “Practicing water safety for kids of all ages is crucial because drowning is a leading cause of death in children from birth through the teen years. And drowning is often quick and silent.”

Also, firearm deaths are the leading cause of death in children in the U.S. and motor vehicle accidents are second. So, firearms need to be secured and drive safely on the way to the pool, lake, river or beach.

Related blog posts:

How to Save a Life -CPR videos, Choking and Bleeding emergencies
Firearms -Still the Leading Cause of Childhood Death in U.S.
Firearm Deaths: A U.S. Crisis Compared to Other Nations
No Exaggeration: Too Many Children Are Dying in the U.S.

From Caitlin Rivers Newsletter (Force of Infection):

Each year, I share a series of first aid videos to help remind everyone of these life-saving skills. I specifically chose these videos because they are only 2-5 minutes long, so you can get through the entire set on your coffee break. There are plenty of high-quality, longer tutorials on YouTube if you want a deeper dive. Either way, I hope you’ll find some time to review these important lessons.

(Also note that CPR and choking procedures are different for infants, so if you have babies in your life, please look up specific instructions for them!)

These videos are best as a refresher. If first aid skills are new to you, I recommend taking an in-person course. Most community centers offer classes for free or at a low cost. Don’t skimp on these valuable skills—they could make all the difference.

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