Wingmen in the water

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Melissa K. Mekpongsatorn
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Summer is here and in South Georgia, that means it's hot. And when it's hot, people often head to the pool, lake or beach to cool down. All of these can be enjoyable if done safely.

Swimming is supposed to be a fun activity but can quickly turn dangerous if safety isn't taken into consideration.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 people die every day from unintentional drowning. Two of these are children 14 or younger.

"You should never swim alone," said Staff Sgt. Curt Mitchell, 23rd Wing Safety Office ground safety inspection and training NCO in-charge. "Always have a wingman nearby in case something goes wrong and you need help."

According to KidsHealth.org, drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14.

Children go to the pool to have a good time, but most do not understand the risk that goes along with swimming.

"Children should always be supervised when swimming," said Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Barton, 23rd WG Safety Office safety education and training NCO in-charge. "Everyone should try to swim where there are lifeguards."

Among children ages 1 to 4, most drownings occur in residential swimming pools. Most of those children are under the care of one or both parents and out of sight for less than five minutes.

According to cdc.gov, pool owners should build a four-sided fence at least four feet high that completely separates the house and play area of the yard from the pool area. Make sure all toys are cleared out of and around the pool so children are not tempted to retrieve them.

Children are not the only people at risk of injury or drowning- even experienced swimmers should be cautious. Whether it's swimming in a pool or out boating with friends, there's always risk involved. Around 90 percent of people who drown are not wearing a life vest.

"Make sure there are enough U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for everyone when boating," said Sergeant Barton. "Also, do not drink alcohol and operate a boat."

Operating a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal in every state and puts both the operator and passengers at risk. The CDC also reports alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating incidents.

Sometimes incidents that occur are unavoidable, but most can be prevented if the proper safety precautions are taken prior to embarking on an adventure.

Information from this story can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/features/BoatingSafety/ and
http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html
http://kidshealth.org/kid/watch/out/swim.html.