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Please contact us for more
information.
The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona, a community based organization comprised of parents,
health and safety professionals, business leaders and concerned citizens, exists to provide a forum to prevent drowning, near
drowning and water-related incidents, through the promotion of education, legislative action, awareness and enhanced product
safety.
As a community-based organization, we attract members from many different areas. It is this diverse
representation that provides the Drowning Prevention Coalition a great strength in representing the issues surrounding
drowning prevention.
We are able to bring together individuals from different cities, industries and backgrounds
to work towards a common cause that significantly benefits the entire community.
Experts agree that there is no
single measure to prevent childhood drownings. The key appears to be a combination of efforts. The Coalition believes in
educating the community of the duty to closely supervise children around all water hazards. We also stress the importance
of barriers that provide layers of protection if supervision fails.
Additionally, taking classes to learn CPR and swim
lessons for children at the appropriate age are encouraged.
In order to be effective, it is extremely important that
we, as Arizona residents, are knowledgeable of these measures not only for our
children's safety but for helping to educate the community as a whole.
Block:
- The State of Arizona mandates the use of proper pool barriers (i.e.., fences, motorized pool covers or self-closing, self-latching doors). Fence should be made of non-climbable material, such as iron, heavy-duty plastic, or non-climbable mesh, with a minimum height of 54" and self-closing, self latching gate. A four-sided pool fence provides superior protection.
- It is important to be knowledgeable of the current building ordinance for pool barriers in your city.
Watch:
- Most drowning victims are missing for less than five minutes before their absence is noted.
- Drownings occur suddenly and without warning. There is usually no splash and no cry.
- Constant supervision should be practiced near all bodies of water. Drownings frequently occur in buckets, bathtubs, toilets, canals, ponds/lakes, etc.
- In most drowning incidents the caregiver admits they were away for "just a few seconds."
Learn:
- Once an incident occurs, survival depends on rescuing the child quickly, initiating proper CPR. Seconds count in preventing brain damage and death.
- Anyone responsible for a child's care should know CPR and recertify every year.
- Swimming lessons can be helpful and considered a layer of protection. Children older than three years of age should receive swimming lessons.
- However, do not consider children to be "drown proof" just because they have been enrolled in swimming lessons.
Rescue Steps:
- Yell for help -- get the child from the pool.
- Call 911.
- Begin CPR if trained. If not, follow the instructions of the 911 dispatcher.
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