ME
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Jul 17, 2010We wish everyone to have a happy, fun-filled and SAFE summer. Following is an excerpt from an excellent artitcle regarding drowning. We encourage EVERY ONE to read it. This may just help you save someone's life...
The full article can be found at:mariovittone.comThe Instinctive Drowning Response – so named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC). Drowning does not look like drowning – Dr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guard’s On Scene Magazine, described the instinctive drowning response like this:
1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.
2. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.
3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.
4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.
(Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006 (page 14))
This doesn’t mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble – they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long – but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc.
Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water:
• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs – Vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Ladder climb, rarely out of the water.
So if a crew member falls overboard and everything looks OK – don’t be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them, “Are you alright?” If they can answer at all – they probably are. If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parents – children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why.
Jen and SteveLAST PAGE
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- MEMemberJul 17, 2010[quote]We wish everyone to have a happy, fun-filled and SAFE summer. Following is an excerpt from an excellent artitcle regarding drowning. We encourage EVERY ONE to read it. This may just help you save someone's life... The full article can be found at:mariovittone.comThe Instinctive Drowning Response – so named by Francesco A. Pia, Ph.D., is what people do to avoid actual or perceived suffocation in the water. And it does not look like most people expect. There is very little splashing, no waving, and no yelling or calls for help of any kind. To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC). Drowning does not look like drowning – Dr. Pia, in an article in the Coast Guard’s On Scene Magazine, described the instinctive drowning response like this: 1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs. 2. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water. 3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe. 4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment. 5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs. (Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006 (page 14)) This doesn’t mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble – they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long – but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc. Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water: • Head low in the water, mouth at water level • Head tilted back with mouth open • Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus • Eyes closed • Hair over forehead or eyes • Not using legs – Vertical • Hyperventilating or gasping • Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway • Trying to roll over on the back • Ladder climb, rarely out of the water. So if a crew member falls overboard and everything looks OK – don’t be too sure. Sometimes the most common indication that someone is drowning is that they don’t look like they’re drowning. They may just look like they are treading water and looking up at the deck. One way to be sure? Ask them, “Are you alright?” If they can answer at all – they probably are. If they return a blank stare, you may have less than 30 seconds to get to them. And parents – children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why. Jen and Steve[/quote] Thank you, for this timely information. There are few greater tragedies than losing a child. We , who have children expect them to out live us, not the other way around. I know there was a "bump" debate thread, but I believe this should be bumped throughout the Summer season, of both hemispheres. It would be nice to have a special place on TN, where items like this have a permanent place on the "Home" page. Thank you, PeterReactReply
- BI
billezJul 17, 2010The first statement - is summed up by - a child drowns silently
It's so true and I've seen it (nearly) happen - got there in the nick of time!!ReactReply - TH
ThomasJul 17, 2010Thanks for excelent post. It is something all people should know.
ThomasReactReply - MA
macnudeJul 17, 2010[quote]Thanks for excelent post. It is something all people should know. Thomas[/quote] Can't agree more!ReactReply - JA
JackNeilsonJul 17, 2010Twenty minutes ago I watched the evening news which reported a three year old girl drowned in a back yard pool. During this current heat wave in Ontario many are swimming/wading to cool off. The report stated that over a dozen of such drownings have occurred since the end of June. This thread is important and should be kept on the front page via bumping. Thanks snugglebunny
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 17, 2010[quote]Twenty minutes ago I watched the evening news which reported a three year old girl drowned in a back yard pool. During this current heat wave in Ontario many are swimming/wading to cool off. The report stated that over a dozen of such drownings have occurred since the end of June. This thread is important and should be kept on the front page via bumping. Thanks snugglebunny[/quote] Only 31 Minutes since I posted that and there is another report of a drowning, this time in a lake. There have been 43 drownings since the start of summer, most preventable and in the presence of other people who didn't know what was taking place. apparently the other provinces have also reported an increase.ReactReply
- JAJackNeilsonJul 18, 2010
Bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 19, 2010
Bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 19, 2010
Again
ReactReply - PH
PhilfreeeukJul 20, 2010[quote]Thanks you two! ... yet another EXCELLENT post, I've added it to theSticky List thread.
[/quote]
Hi guys! ... hope all is well with you,
this was about to fall off the bottom, so I'm just giving it a bump :)
I think we should keep it visible, at least while so many of us are experiencing this loveley hot weather.ReactReply - MEMemberJul 20, 2010
Bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 20, 2010
Bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 21, 2010[quote][quote][/quote] [quote]Time this was on the home page again[/quote] [/quote] YesReactReply
- MEMemberOriginal PosterJul 21, 2010
Thank you, all, for helping to keep this information visible on the front page. The life saved could be yours or a loved one's.
ReactReply - RO
RoosterockJul 21, 2010I hope everyone remembers that it does not take just a river, pool or lake for a child to drown. A lot of the little ones that drown do it before they can hardly walk. They go to the bathroom an play in the toilet and fall in head first and are unable to get out. Also parents that put their child in the bath tub with just 1or 2 inches of water thinking they will be safe in only a LITTLE water. A child can drown in an inch of water.
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 22, 2010
Time for another bump
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 22, 2010I love this sign
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 24, 2010[quote]I suppose we have to put up with the odd idiot on here now and again[/quote] TrueReactReply
- JAJackNeilsonJul 25, 2010
Yes, he does seem to have left.
BumpReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 26, 2010
Back to the main page
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 26, 2010
Oh yes there are just disguised as nudists?
ReactReply - MEMemberOriginal PosterJul 27, 2010
Thank you all for keeping this thread to the forefront.
ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 28, 2010
Newspaper report.
Drownings up 16% from last year in Canada.
Many if not most are preventable which is why it is important to keep this one visible on the main page.ReactReply - JAJackNeilsonJul 28, 2010
Very true
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