Rise in deaths puts focus on water safety for young people

Drownings among infants and children in Louisiana rose 60% in 2020, snapping five straight years of declining numbers, the Louisiana Department of Health said in a news release recently.
In 2020, those numbers rose to 24 fatalities after experiencing 15 the year before. Infants and children are classified as those from ages 0-14. The year 2020 was one of the most fatal in recent history, the state said.
The release cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics from 2017-19 that reveal that Louisiana’s drowning rate for those ages 1-14 is the fourth highest in the United States. It’s the third-leading cause for fatalities among Louisiana children in this age sector.
U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Victor Alma, assistant chief of response for Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit-Morgan City, said that the effects of being restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic mean more people are participating in water-related recreation.
“We actually have seen record-breaking sales in paddle boards and motorboats over the last year, and when you have the concoction of new boaters plus inexperience, that equals a cause for concern,” Alma said.
Sea Tow Services International, which provides assistance on the water, said in a survey of 3,500 boaters that 16% said they bought a larger boat in 2020 or intend to this year, according to a news release.
“Last year, Sea Tow saw a 34% increase in requests for on-water assistance in the summer of 2020, and our nationwide network of captains are anticipating another busy season for 2021,” Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer said in the news release.
Meanwhile, 52% of those surveyed said they plan to increase their boating this summer compared to 2020, while 24% of those questioned plan to use their boat in their vacation due to the pandemic.
Alma said those handling boating safety have seen a rise in recreational boating activities nationwide.
“To kind of quantify that a little further, what they’re saying is that the normal amount of traffic that you would see on a Labor Day weekend, Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July day weekend, we are seeing that volume of activity now on a regularly occurring non holiday weekend, if that’s any indication of the increase in activity,” he said.
Boating-related fatalities have risen in Louisiana from 2019 to 2020, according to Coast Guard data. In 2019, there were 20 fatalities, while in 2020, there were 24.
“A small increase, but an increase, nonetheless,” Alma said.
Nationally, he said that increase has risen about 25%.
Typically, most of these fatalities are due to drownings, with impaired drivers accounting for some, and others involving fatalities with passengers.
To keep boaters safe, Alma recommended all on board wear a personal flotation device, drivers refrain from drinking and passengers drink responsibly.
“That will go a long way in helping preserve the safety of everyone on board,” he said of passengers that are coherent.
Alma also recommended mariners make sure their watercraft is in good condition before utilizing it. Those operating vessels also should become familiar with the proper protocol and procedures for navigation.
A VHF radio that can be broadcast on Channel 16, the frequency the Coast Guard uses, is vital because it helps the Coast Guard locate mariners. Another option is a personal locator beacon, which can be purchased at boating or outdoor and sporting goods stores as well as online.
“That’s something that you can simply attach to your personal flotation device,” Alma said. “Some are water activated, some are manually activated, but when they are activated, it sends out a position.”
From there, users can indicate if they need assistance.
As for those swimming in a body of water larger than a pool, Alma said there are several additional factors that could be present that aren’t in a pool such as currents, undercurrents and winds.
“Those are all concerns present when you’re swimming out in Mother Nature that again, you don’t find in a pool,” he said. “So whenever you are out in the water, always a great idea to not only wear a personal flotation device but find one that you’re familiar with, that you’re comfortable with.”
The one that fits your needs is the one you are likely to wear, Alma said. The life jacket also should have a stamp of approval by the U.S. Coast Guard and an approval number on it.
“Seeing that will indicate that this is an officially recognized and certified personal flotation device,” he said.
No matter how experienced a swimmer is, they should not venture out alone.
“If you can’t have a buddy with you, at least notify someone that you’re going to be out, where you’re going to be, how long you plan on being there, what you’re wearing,” Alma said, noting all those things are vital in a search and rescue effort.
For the younger population, the Louisiana Department of Health recommended in its release to constantly monitor children swimming or around water, teaching youngsters how to swim, install “layers of protection” around a pool such as fencing with a gate with a latch and prevent children from venturing to pool drains, pipes or other openings — which all could lead to them being trapped.
“Parents and guardians can also prepare for potential emergencies by taking a CPR training class and learning basic water rescue skills,” Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer, said in the state’s news release.
Several recourses to view are Poolsafely.gov and two Coast Guard websites —Uscgboating.org and Cgox.org/vsc. The second site offers information about where to get a complimentary vessel examination from the U.S. Coast Guard so the agency can show boaters what the Coast Guard is looking for when they do their inspections. Alma said mariners will not be penalized in these complimentary inspections.
Also, to find the nearest place to learn CPR, visit cpr.heart.org.