As Arizona continues to swelter this summer, a stark and concerning trend has emerged: a significant rise in drowning incidents across the state. In recognition of World Drowning Prevention Day on Thursday, July 25, the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona is calling for urgent attention to this preventable heartbreak.
“Drowning is a silent and swift tragedy that can occur in a matter of seconds,” said Jay Arthur, president of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona. “With the right knowledge and precautions, we can significantly reduce these numbers and save lives. World Drowning Prevention Day is a crucial reminder of the importance of water safety.”
The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona (DPCA), a community-based organization comprised of parents, health and safety professionals and business leaders, exists to provide a forum to prevent drowning and near drowning through the promotion of education, legislative action and enhanced product safety.
Arizona has already surpassed the number of child drownings in all of 2023. Nationally and locally, almost 70% of these drownings were during non-swim times. According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, 88% of child drownings occur with at least one adult present.
“It’s essential for everyone to take water safety seriously, especially during the peak summer months,” added Arthur. “You cannot waiver in your vigilance, and you must accept that this doesn’t just happens to bad parents. It can happen to you. Put multiple layers of protection in place to reduce the risk of this tragedy in your family.”
The DPCA provides the following water safety tips to help prevent drowning:
- Open Eyes Save Lives. Never leave children unattended around water. Designate a responsible adult to actively watch them and avoid distractions like phones or social media.
- Swim Lessons for Life. Ensure that everyone in the family, including adults, learns to swim. Enroll in swimming lessons offered by local community centers or pools.
- Keep it Safe: Lock the Gate. If you have a pool, install a fence that is at least 5 feet high and has a self-closing, self-latching gate. Pool covers and alarms can also provide additional layers of protection.
- They’re called Life Jackets for a Good Reason. Encourage the use of life jackets, especially for young children and non-swimmers, when near or in water. Ensure the life jacket fits properly and is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
- Know CPR. Learn mouth-to-mouth CPR and keep your skills up to date. In an emergency, immediate CPR can make a critical difference while waiting for professional help to arrive.
- Be Prepared. Keep rescue equipment, such as a life ring or a reaching pole, near the pool and ensure everyone knows how to use it in an emergency.
- Know the Rules around Lakes, Rivers and Pools. Educate children about the dangers of water and establish clear rules, such as no running near the pool and no swimming alone.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of unintentional injury-related deaths globally, with an estimated 236,000 people losing their lives to drowning each year. In the United States alone, an average of 11 people die from drowning every day. The numbers are particularly high in states like Arizona, where the combination of high temperatures and a prevalence of swimming pools creates a heightened risk.
“By taking simple precautions, such as supervising children at all times, learning CPR, and ensuring pools have proper barriers, we can prevent these heartbreaking incidents,” said Arthur, “Together, we can make a difference and honor the lives lost by committing to safety and awareness.”
For more information on water safety and how you can get involved in World Drowning Prevention Day, visit PreventDrownings.org or NDPA.com.
