While it’s not yet officially summer, school is out, the temperatures are rising, and the water beckons. Be it the pool, the river, the lake, or even the splash park, one of the best parts of summer is water sports and swimming. In Green River we have a lot of pride in our namesake river and the Flaming Gorge that it pours into.
And by all means, we should enjoy it. With that, it’s important to understand water safety and preventive measures.
The stats on unintentional drowning in the Unites States are surprising and staggering. The risk is highest for those under 14 years old. About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States about ten people die every day from unintentional drowning. Drowning ranks fifth among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the U.S. Did you know that nearly 80 percent of people who die from drowning in the U.S. are male?
On a world-wide scale, drowning is one of the top ten causes of death for people aged 1-24 years old, with over half of all drowning deaths among those aged under 25.
What can you do to safely enjoy the water? Some of the most effective measures are the most common sense. Never leave children unattended near water, even for a moment. Don’t mix drinking alcohol with water sports or swimming. Talk to your kids about water safety. Wear life vests when near the water, not just in it, especially for younger kids or those who are not strong swimmers.
Now that temperatures are up the snow melt leads to higher water levels and strong currents. Check the water levels before getting in the river (waterdata.usgs.gov) and remember that high water depth and discharge (speed) can make for dangerous conditions, even for strong swimmers. Don’t forget about the dangers to your water-loving dogs.
One of the best preventative measures is to know how to swim. Take advantage of the Water Safety Day in Honor of Paige Hardesty Greve on June 21 at the Green River Recreation Center.
This free event includes water safety for children ages five to 12, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson in the pool, and Learn-to-Swim assessments for swimmers of all ages.
Enjoy the beautiful water this season! We are surrounded with wonderful natural waterways and are fortunate to have a lifeguarded pool. Please be smart and stay safe.
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