This week Bobbi Conner talks with Dr. Alexus Gonzalez about water safety and drowning prevention for teens. Dr. Gonzalez is a pediatrician and pediatric resident at MUSC Children’s Health.
TRANSCRIPT:
Conner: I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio with Health Focus here at the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Adolescents 15 to 19 years of age have the second highest drowning risk of any age group. And these adolescents are most likely to have drowning incidents in natural bodies of water. Doctor Alexus Gonzalez is here to talk about drowning prevention. Doctor Gonzalez is a pediatrician and pediatric resident at MUSC Children's Health. Doctor Gonzalez, what are some of the most important safety tips for children when they are around natural bodies of water?
Dr. Gonzalez: It's important to always have a US Coast Guard approved life jacket on hand for these situations. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children wear these life jackets around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers, or when operating watercraft out in open water. We also should remember that floating devices such as inflatable armbands are not necessarily the same in terms of safety and protection against drowning interventions, and they should not be used in place of lifejackets, especially in these scenarios.
Conner: What other water safety guidelines and information to families and parents need to keep in mind related to children around natural bodies of water?
Dr. Gonzalez: It's important to remember your surroundings. So being mindful of the water conditions, making sure that you're aware of rip currents or undertow and what that looks like for the day. Also, considering places that have lifeguards, because that is an extra set of eyes on the water that are supervising the kids that are out there.
Conner: Tell us about additional drowning prevention considerations specifically related to teenagers.
Dr. Gonzalez: The most important thing to mention, and it's something that we hope all pediatricians are chatting with their teens about, is the prevention of substance use. So of course in all teens we counsel on that extensively, but especially when talking about water. We know that alcohol interferes with swimming skills and balance and your coordination and your judgment. And we want to make sure that these teens are not actively using substances such as alcohol when out in the water or when operating watercraft.
Conner: And what role can parents play?
Dr. Gonzalez: There are a couple of things that parents can do. Of course open conversations with your teenagers regarding the importance of avoiding alcohol use or substance use while out on the water, but also modeling good behavior. Children are looking up to their parents, and they often will do what their parents are doing. And so, making sure that we're being mindful about the way that adults are also interacting with substances around water, especially in the presence of children.
Conner: Any other really proactive water safety strategies that can make a difference.
Dr. Gonzalez: One thing that parents and adults and older teens can do is get CPR certified. We know CPR training improves outcomes in these situations. And so having adults and teens who know CPR and know how to activate or initiate CPR is a really a great strategy for injury prevention.
Conner: Tell us briefly about preventing other water-related injuries, especially for teens and older children.
Dr. Gonzalez: You want to be mindful of the water that teens are entering or going into. And so having conversations about always entering the water feet-first. We know that diving into unsafe waters can lead to very serious and sometimes permanent spinal cord injuries, so we'd like to prevent that by encouraging teens to enter feet-first.
Conner: Doctor Gonzalez, thanks for this information about water safety.
Dr. Gonzalez: You're welcome.
Conner: From the radio studio for the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, I'm Bobbi Conner for South Carolina Public Radio.
Health Focus transcripts are intended to accurately represent the original audio version of the program; however, some discrepancies or inaccuracies may exist. The audio format serves as the official record of Health Focus programming.
