Drowning is the leading cause of death for young children in the nation, and something that most pool owners understand is a major liability, especially when it comes to inexperienced, and unsupervised swimmers. In fact, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), 74% of drowning incidents for children younger than 15 occurred in residential locations. To add, homeowners with pools are undoubtedly familiar with the concept of premises liability due to the added cost of insurance premiums associated with owning a pool. Accordingly, they have likely compiled with their insurance company’s requirements of installing fences, having lifesaving equipment on hand, such as shepherd’s hooks and life rings, and insisting that children and non-swimming adults only enter the water when supervised. According to the data, emergency responders across the US respond to around 6,400 pool and spa related injuries involving children younger than 15 every year, and some of those cases include other types of drowning, better known as dry or secondary drowning.
Not All Drownings Occur While In The Water
Technically, there are two different types of drownings the occur out of the water — dry drowning and secondary drowning. With dry drowning, water doesn’t need to fill up the lungs; it only has to be stalled and obstruct the airway, leading to spasms. Secondary drowning occurs when water from the pool gets into the lungs. Both conditions are potentially life-threatening, especially for children. Dry drowning usually manifests shortly after a child or adult submerged under the water, but in many instances of secondary drowning, symptoms don’t appear for hours after the water event trigger.
Dry drowning and secondary drowning occur most often in cases of near-drowning, but can also happen after a day spent without serious incident in the water. This makes it even more important for homeowners with pools to increase their vigilance over their guests in the water.
To decrease the likelihood of a tragedy and ensuing premisses liability litigation, homeowners should be on the lookout for the following:
- Any instances of someone struggling in the water where they are submerged (even partially) and inhaling or swallowing water.
- Horseplay among children, including dunking, where one pushes the other beneath the surface of the water.
- With children 5 and under, any instance where their face is beneath the water and they emerge sputtering or coughing.
Know What To Look For
While cases of dry and secondary drowning remain relatively rare, both are a serious medical emergency requiring immediate treatment. Failing to be treated by medical professionals after an episode of either dry or secondary drowning can cause the victim’s condition to deteriorate to the point of death. This is especially true in the case of children who are put down for a nap after an incident in the pool, as they may never wake up.
To ensure that a dry drowning or secondary drowning doesn’t occur, it’s best to understand the signs and symptoms involved with both scenarios. They include:
- Difficulty Breathing
- Excessive Fatigue
- Coughing
- Chest Pain
- Low Energy Or Sleepiness After A Water Incident
- Irritability Or Unusual Behavior
Tips For Preventing Drowning
While drowning may be the leading cause of death for young swimmers in our country, there are steps you can take to help prevent accidental drownings. To help prevent drownings, make sure you’re following these steps:
- Never leave a child alone, especially in pools with deep water.
- Don’t push or jump on others.
- Don’t dive in unfamiliar areas – you never know how deep the water is or what lies below the surface.
- Make sure your child is ready for the water by enrolling them in swim classes at a young age.
- Keep an eye on your child at all times. Lifeguards are there for swimmer’s safety but aren’t always able to watch every child their entire shift.
- Make sure your child understands the dangers of drains and areas of suction.
- Keep emergency floatation devices nearby.
- Get trained in CPR to help ensure the likelihood of saving someone’s life if and when a potential drowning occurs.
Need A Houston Personal Injury Attorney For Your Drowning Case?
The lawyers at the Weycer Law Firm are experienced in handling any type of drowning or defective pool lawsuit. If you or someone you know has experienced a pool-related injury or death, make sure to speak with a lawyer about your case. Our legal experts are standing by 24/7 to answer your questions and help provide you with the answers and justice you deserve.
If you need to file a Texas drowning lawsuit or defective pool lawsuit, contact the Weycer Law Firm for a free consultation with a Texas personal injury attorney by calling (713) 668-4545.