Diving Safety
A quick dive into the water is a great way to cool off. But be careful: a fun day in the water could turn tragic in seconds.
Check out these ThinkFirst facts:
- 90 percent of diving injuries result in quadriplegia (paralysis of both arms and both legs)
- 5,000 children, age 14 and under, are hospitalized each year as a result of near drowning
- 20 percent of near drowning victims will endure severe and permanent disabilities, while 15 percent will die from their injuries
- Approximately 1,000 recreational diving injuries occur in the U.S. each year
It's important to talk to your kids about the rules for water safety and for diving. According to Iowa law, it is required that public swimming pools mark where the water is too shallow to dive. Remind your family of these precautions:
- Before diving, enter the water feet first to check the depth of the water and for submerged objects
- Look for signs listing the rules of the area
- Never dive into shallow water (water that is five feet deep or less)
- Never dive into above-ground pools as they are often too shallow
While some people believe it's the extreme dives that cause the most injuries, this is not usually the case. Most often, it's a normal dive from the side of the pool which results in a traumatic injury. According to Divingboardsafety.net;
- Approximately 77 percent of spinal cord injuries don't involve any sort of diving board or platform
- Approximately 70 percent of spinal cord injuries from diving are a result of an ordinary dive
- Approximately 57 percent of dives resulting in a spinal cord injury happen in shallow water (zero to five feet)
Talk to your kids. Remind them of the dangers of the water and to take precautions when diving. Simple safety tips can keep them safe.