Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AAP Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued recommendations for various
age groups.
Infants and children
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Careful supervision
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Emptying all water containers such as buckets and kiddie pools
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Not allowing swimming lessons to provide a false sense of security
◆
Four-sided fences around swimming pools
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CPR instruction and 911 phone access
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Flotation devices
Children five to twelve years
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Swimming instruction
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Buddy swimming with supervision
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Personal flotation devices
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Knowing the depth of the water
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Recognizing drowning risks such as skating on thin ice
Adolescents
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Avoidance of alcohol and drug use
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CPR instruction
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Prohibiting alcohol during boat operation
EFFECTS ON FAMILIES
Fatal drownings have a devastating effect on families. After such deaths 24 percent of
the parents separate. Posttraumatic stress disorder persists for years—perhaps forever—in
family members. Substance abuse, alcohol and drugs, and sleep disturbances are common.
Siblings may experience incapacitating survivor's guilt.
The responsibility for preventing or, at least, ameliorating such distress in family mem-
bers rests with the medical personnel providing the initial care, particularly emergency
room physicians who are in a position to summon professionals to provide counseling. No
one else is in a position to know about the need for psychological care until much later.
Counseling should be obtained immediately. Any delay aggravates feelings of guilt and
makes full recovery more difficult.
One tragedy must not be allowed to generate more.
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