CDC sees upward trend for drowning deaths in children

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — News 3 is taking a closer look at a troubling trend with drowning deaths in children and we spoke to local experts.

They are up nearly 30 percent in some age groups. According to Dr. Michael Bossak with Memorial Health, it’s ok to do so, but make sure you’re keeping an eye on your children if they tag along. He said the hospital sees a couple of tragic drowning outcomes each year.

“Not every drowning makes it to the hospital, unfortunately,” he said. “A lot of these are near drownings when they’ve gone under, and they’ve been pulled out and then they are surviving those events. But, we don’t catch every kid that does not survive.”

In a recent study published by the Centers for Disease Control, over 4,500 people drowned each year from 2020 to 2022. They say drowning deaths increased by 28 percent among children ages 1-years-old to 4- years-old in 2022 compared to 2019.

“Make sure to call the closest person to them,” Dr. Bossak said. “A lifeguard is most of the time trained in CPR. CPR training for everyone is important. You should be bringing kids out of the pool turning them over, banging on their back, trying to get some of the water out. If they are not breathing, CPR should be started and 911 should be called immediately”

Dr. Bossak told News 3 that any kids that are going into a pool should have touch supervision, meaning caregivers should be no further than one arm’s length.

“If you are with a group of people, you should set up someone who is the ‘water watcher’,” he explained. “They put their phone away, they put their drink down, and they put their food away. Their job is just to watch the water, making sure everyone is doing OK and making sure no one slips under.”

The CDC says over half of US adults have never taken swimming lessons. Dr. Bossak urges parents to enroll their kids.

“Kids over the age of one can survive drowning events and can swim and learn to swim. Anyone over the age of one should really be enrolled in some sort of swimming class that teaches them how to stay afloat and get to the side.”

The city of Savannah will be having swimming lessons for all ages starting next month for $25. Registration is May 19 at Daffin Park from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.