According to the rescue company, there would have been 61 drownings recorded in Quebec in 2022! It is enormous ! To avoid the worst this year, several measures must be taken. Further down in this text, I list a few that I find essential for the safety of your family.
First of all, know that drowning is quick and often silent. In the films, the victim screams, makes waves and splashes loudly. In real life, it is quite different, the victim, especially children, will fall and remain submerged under water. No shouting, no splashing. So no sound to alert you that something is wrong... In addition, the victim, depending on the position of his body when falling, could find himself disoriented and no longer know how to get back to the surface.
Here are some prevention measures:
1- Ensure constant and diligent monitoring! Just being absent for 2 minutes or being inattentive is dangerous. If you work from home, only allow your children to bathe when your attention is given to them 100%. When gathering outside, make sure that someone is delegated to supervise the swimmers at all times. Indeed, drownings often occur when several people are present on site. Everyone expects someone else to monitor, resulting in no one actually monitoring.
2- Make sure that your swimming pool installations comply with recommendations and municipal regulations (Ex : distances of machines height of fences, etc.)
3- Do not leave anything in the yard that could be used by a child to climb into the pool. (a chair, a slide, a small car, etc.)
4- Enclose your facilities and make sure you have an effective door locking system.
5- On the patio near the pool, leave nothing hang out on the ground that someone could trip over.
6- Do a lot of awareness raising with your children. Make sure they understand the dangers of swimming or approaching a pool unsupervised.
7- Choose the right floating aid for your child's age (capsule to come)
8- Quickly teach your children to swim without a buoyant aid. Knowing how to swim is the best way to avoid drowning.
Personally, this is my biggest fear during the summer. My children have boundless imaginations and I know there are no limits to their crazy ideas. So I vigorously apply all the points mentioned above and it helps me reduce my anxiety haha . So my last advice, let go whatever you do, make yourself a glass of wine (or a coffee if it’s in the morning…) Sit on your deck chair and watch your children while relaxing! No worse than that!?
Good swim !
