Ask the Doctor August 2024

Smart Ways to Prevent Drowning

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accidental drownings lead to about 8,000 emergency department visits nationwide each year. "Drowning can be fast and silent, but it may be prevented," says Jasmeet Mehta, MD, Internal Medicine. Some ways to help reduce the risk of a potential drowning and potentially save a life include:

• KNOW: Small children can drown in shallow water.
• SUPERVISE: Make sure at least one adult swimmer provides constant supervision of any child/children near or in the water.
• PROTECT: Install fences and gates around home pools. Consider adding an alarm that alerts you anytime someone goes into the water.
• RESTRICT: Prohibit children from running around the outside of pools to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
• TEACH: Enroll children, and adults who can't swim, in swim lessons. Make sure they wear life jackets, vests and floaties in the water if they can't swim, but still be sure an adult swimmer provides constant supervision.
• JUMP: Never dive headfirst into water unless you know how deep it is. Instead, wade in or jump in feetfirst.
• RESPECT: Always swim near a lifeguard. Heed red-flag warnings for high rip currents at the beach/shore. If you get caught in a rip current, allow it to carry you until you are able to swim parallel to the shore. Do not swim against the current, as this will tire you out and put you at risk of drowning.

If you or a loved one is having an emergency or are in an emergency situation, immediately call 9-1-1.

Jasmeet K. Mehta, MD, Internal Medicine, is an RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group provider and practices at Medical Associates Hamilton & Primary Care Express, 3100 Quakerbridge Road, Hamilton and is affiliated with RWJUH Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility.

To make an appointment or for more information, call (609) 245-7430.

Or visit rwjbh.org/medicalgroup.

Let's be healthy together.