Multidisciplinary approach to backyard pool safety and drowning prevention

1. Water Safety: Ask The Experts
Drowning Prevention:
Multidisciplinary Perspectives
James M. DeCarli, MPH, MPA, CHES
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2. Overview
• Common Characteristics & Lessons
Learned of Pool Systems
– Public/Community
– Private/Backyard
• Lessons Applied-Community Prevention
• Community Outreach Efforts
– Safe Kids Los Angeles
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3. Swimming Pool Prevention Systems
• Public/Community
• Private/Backyard
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4. Public/Community Pools
• Controlled
Environment
• Enforcement of
Rules &
Regulations
• Lifeguards
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5. Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools
Risk Factors of Drowning
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6. Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools
Anatomy of a Submersion Fatality
–
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7. Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools
Pools In-Use: Active Supervision
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8. Lessons Learned: Public/Community Pools
Pools Not In-Use: Layers of Protection
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9. Private/Backyard Pools
• Lack Drowning
Prevention Training
• Unsatisfactory in
Supervision & Layers
of Protection
• Results: Increases
Drowning Risk Factors
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10. Lessons Learned: Private/Backyard Pools
Pool In-Use
Supervision
• Quality of supervision often fails
• 90% of childhood drowning incidents
occurred under adult supervision
(National Safe Kids 2004)
• Approach fails
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11. Lessons Learned: Private/Backyard Pools
Pool Not In-Use
Layers of Protection
• Quality of layers of protection often fail
• 50% of childhood victims last seen inside home,
before found drowned (CPSC)
• 69% of toddlers not expected to be in pool area
(CPSC)
• 77% of victims missing for 5-minutes or less before
found in pool (CPSC)
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12. Lessons Learned: Private/Backyard Pools
Pool Not In-Use
Layers of Protection Case
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13. Lessons Applied: Private/Backyard Pools
Pool In-Use
Supervision
• Supervise like a lifeguard
– Eyes on children
– Not partake in other activities
– Designate another adult for breaks
– Pool parties: Consider hiring a lifeguard
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14. Lessons Applied : Private/Backyard Pools
Pool Not In-Use
Layers of Protection
• After use, account that everyone is out of pool
• Remove any inflatable toys from pool area
• Ensure self-closing/self-latching gate is in
working order and locked after use
• Ensure lawn equipment, chairs, tables are not
close to fence to prevent a child from climbing
over
• Ensure that any doors or windows that may
lead to the pool area are locked and have
alarms activated
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15. Lessons Applied : Private/Backyard Pools
Pool Not In-Use
Additional Layers of Protection
• Isolation fence
• Self-closing/Self-latching gate open outward away from
pool
• Door & windows leading to the pool area, be self-
closing/self-latching and alarmed
• Power operated pool covers be properly maintained
• Keep phone at poolside for emergency use
• Learn CPR
• Keep lifesaving ring and shepherd’s hook in pool area &
know how to use it
• Do not consider children “drownproof” because they have
had swimming lessons
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16. Drowning Prevention Strategies
• Target
• parents and
• pool owners
• Prevention approach
– Pool in-use: active supervision
– Pool not in-use: layers of protection
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17. Community Outreach Efforts
Public Agencies
• Los Angeles County hospitals & clinics
• Los Angeles County Fire Department
• Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation
– 25 Community Pools: Pool safety education
classes
– 83 Recreation Centers: Pool safety education
materials
• 88-Incorporated Cities: Materials (in planning)
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18. Community Outreach Efforts
Non-Governmental Agencies
Media
– 16-Broadcasts/news stories (May-August
2004): ABC, NBC, & Telemundo
– Media Event: Private/backyard pool
• Local officials
• Safe Kids LA
• Fire Department
• American Red Cross
• Link with drowning case
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19. Community Outreach Efforts
Non-Governmental Agencies, continued
– ABC’s of a Safe Summer Program
• ABC7 & American Red Cross
• At-A-Glance:
• Water Safety
• Fire Safety
• First Aid
• CPR
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20. Summary
• Designing Drowning Prevention
Interventions:
– Target parents & pool owners
– When the pool is in-use
– When the pool is not in-use
• When the pool is in-use:
– “Active” supervision
• Lifeguard
• When the pool is not in-use:
– Layers of protection
• Secure pool similar to a public/community pool 20

21. • Contact Information:
– jdecarli@ph.lacounty.gov
– (213) 351-7888
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