Must read!

Summertime is in full swing. For a large amount of people that means trips to the pool, beach, lake, etc. I am one of those crazy people that is afraid of water. Not that I don't get in the water, but I'm always worried about the dangers of it. And now that I have children, that fear has multiplied by a million. Something can happen in a matter of seconds!!

I recently read this article called "Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning". I think it's an article everyone should read!! If you don't have the time to read it now, at least read this part (PLEASE!!) I can honestly say, I had no idea what drowning looks like. From the article:

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))

So while you are out enjoying some summer fun just please remember to be safe, never leave children alone in the water, and always be close by!! The article ended with this, and I think I'll end the same way:

" And parents – children playing in the water make noise. When they get quiet, you get to them and find out why."