HELP PREVENT DROWNING www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Know the Facts Before Your Teen Hits The Water www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Facts about drowning and near drowning In Texas, nearly 300 people drown every year. Drowning is a silent event that happens in seconds For each child that drowns, it is estimated that 4 children are hospitalized for near-drowning As many as 20% of near drowning survivors suffer severe permanent neurological disability and nearly all who require CPR die or are left with severe brain injury Safe Kids Worldwide www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Areas That Involve Your Teen and Water Safety Babysitting Swimming Pools & Water Parks Natural Bodies of Water www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Natural Bodies of Water Children ages 5 to 14 most often drown in open water sites. Safe Kids Worldwide June 12, 2003: A 9-year old girl goes swimming in a creek during a family picnic, and drowns when the water gets too deep (12 feet) www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Boating Safety Texas law mandates you must be 16 years of age or older to operate a motor-powered boat www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Boating Facts Most boating accidents are caused by the operator Only one out of 10 boating fatality victims were found wearing a PFD Texas Parks and Wildlife The probability of being killed in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved Texas Parks and Wildlife In Lake Lewisville in May 2003, an 18 year old male drowned when the boat sank 200 yards from shore and he could not make it back. (explain how long 200 yards is 2 football field lengths) Why was he not wearing a PFD? What do you think the outcome would have been had he been wearing a PFD? www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Facts Each year approximately 200 children are seriously injured or killed while riding personal watercraft such as jet skis. Safe Kids Worldwide American Academy of Pediatrics states children under 16 should not operate a PWC American Academy of Pediatrics PWC riders often became airborne and contact whatever is in their path. Some of the same factors that make a personal water craft fun, make them dangerous. PWC are more than 3 times as likely to strike a person swimming in the water as other vessel types. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Typical Boating Accident Fatality Involves: An open motorboat (83% of the time) Weekends (59% of the time) Hours between noon and 7p.m.(59% of the time) Victim falling overboard (34% of the time) Operator between ages 26-50 (52% of the time) Texas Parks and Wildlife Weekends are when most people go boating so of course one of the most dangerous times, however these accidents are not taking place at night or in the early morning, they are taking place in the middle of the day when visibility should be easiest. Not only that but it is adults who are causing these accidents the majority of the time. 26-50 year old adults who should be educated about boater safety. Ask questions before sending your child out with friends or family if they have had boater safety. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Accident and Fatality Prevention Always wear a PFD Avoid Alcohol Children under age 13 must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD while underway Enroll in boater education classes Don’t overload the boat Always have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator ALL PWC operators and passengers must wear a PFD www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) Personal Flotation Devices such as a lifejacket or vest can be buoyant or inflatable and come in many sizes and styles. Who Should Wear a Coast Guard-approved PFD? - All non-swimmers - Anyone when near open bodies of water or when participating in water sports - Any person on board a PWC or boat www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Wearing a PFD Correctly Check the label Check for damage Fasten up Check for proper fit Wear it www.knowbeforeyougo.org

PFD Fitting 101 Lift the shoulders of the life jacket Make sure it does not slip above the chin or ears It should feel snug, yet comfortable. A properly fitted life jacket keeps your head and shoulders above water. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Help Prevent Drowning Steps you can take READY, SET, SAVE! www.knowbeforeyougo.org

READY Learn CPR Talk to adults that are caring for your teen around water. Educate yourself and your teens before allowing them to go out on the water Enroll your teen in swim lessons Create layers of protection to prevent drowning Distribute & Review the following handouts: Know Before You Go Brochure Learn more about CPR, First Aid classes, Life Guard Courses, Baby sitting Courses, and Swim Lessons with the YMCA and Red Cross by going to the Know Before You Go web site. Learn about Boater Safety with Texas Parks and Wildlife. Take matters into your own hands get the knowledge you need before involving yourself or others in water activities. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

Layers of Protection Always wear a PFD Remember children under age 13 must wear a PFD while on the water Know how the craft operates and safety procedures and make sure your teen does also Know local laws and ordinances regarding use of watercraft www.knowbeforeyougo.org

SET Never allow a teen under 16 to go out alone or operate PWC without adult supervision. Always have a passenger serve as a lookout in addition to the operator. Have a phone at the water area. Wear PFDs that are Coast Guard approved. Talk to your teen about alcohol. Show Coast Guard Approved PFD and talk about appropriate size again. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

SAVE Call 9-1-1. Throw! Don’t go. Throw rescue equipment to the victim. Begin CPR and continue until rescue personnel arrives. Explain why throw! Don’t go is important. www.knowbeforeyougo.org

HELP PREVENT DROWNING www.knowbeforeyougo.org