Designated drivers protect the community. Designated hitters in baseball protect pitchers. Why not have designated adults to protect kids who are swimming?
Now we do. Child safety groups in South Florida are making a push to enlist adults as designated “Water Watchers” who agree to pay undivided attention to children in or near the water. Water Watchers are crucial in an area of the country with a high risk of drowning. Broward County, home to 130,000 backyard pools and miles of waterways, lost six children under age of 4 last year.
“The No. 1 thing you can do to prevent drowning is have a qualified adult watching the children at all times,” says Cassie McGovern, Drowning Prevention Program Manager at the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, which is funded by the Children’s Service Council. “Water Watchers do not need special training,” she says, “but must be able to swim and ideally know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They receive a badge to wear around their necks – to show everyone who is responsible for watching the kids.” She continues, “Too often, many adults are in the area where children are swimming, but no one is really watching them. A drowning can occur in as little as two minutes.”
Water Watchers Agree to:
- Face the children in the water at all times.
- Never engage in distractions such as texting, talking, drinking, eating and internet browsing while watching the children.
- Never leave the children alone, not even for a brief moment.
- Leave the area only if relieved by another adult Water Watcher.
- Continually scan the surface and bottom of the water. Check each face every 10 seconds.
- Have a throwing device, reaching device, signaling device and a phone at hand
- Be positioned to reach every child within 20 seconds.
- Wear swim attire and be ready to launch a rescue.
- Think ahead, know pool safety rules
Remember that a personal flotation device does not substitute for adult supervision. In larger groups of children, more than one Water Watcher may be needed. Drowning is a serious risk and a grim reality (it is the leading cause of death for 1-4 year olds in Broward County). Be sure to appoint those who will take the responsibility seriously. If the group will be very large, while still keeping watch, consider hiring a lifeguard for the event.
Most of these tips and bullet points can be found on the website www.watersmartbroward.org
While visiting the site be sure to take advantage of the CSC funded swim coupon…the swim coupon can be used at the majority of Broward County swimming facilities. The swim coupon is available to all Broward County children 6 months- 4 years of age.
Another undervalued resource is the YMCA Mobile Aquatics program, for those Broward County residents who live in apartment complexes. For more information on how to get your property management to request the Mobile Aquatics, contact Justin Edelstein, Mobile Aquatic Supervisor jedelstein@ymcasouthflorida.org or by phone (954) 334-9622.
Remember the issue of drowning is more prevalent than ever and the community as a whole benefits mutually when we all take notice and responsibility when it comes to our neighbors and loved ones.
For more information: 954-467-4700, Ext. 5695 or cassie.mcgovern@flhealth.gov
