In children ages 1 to 14, drowning is the second-leading cause of accidental death?

Every year, approximately 760 children (14 and under) die as a result of accidental drowning. And more than 60% of those children are under age 5.

Some Facts:

• Drowning occurs quickly and silently.

  A child can drown in seconds. And they cannot cry out for help.
  They lose consciousness within two minutes under water. Permanent brain damage occurs after four to six minutes.

• For every child who drowns, two are hospitalized for near-drowning.

  Up to 20% of survivors suffer permanent brain damage.
  And 15% of those children hospitalized for near-drowning die in the hospital.

• Each year in the U.S., over 200 children under age 5 drown in home swimming pools.

  Most children who drown in these swimming pools were:
  -last seen inside the home, or had been out of sight for less than five minutes.
  -in the care of one or both parents at the time of the drowning.

• The suction of a pool or spa drain can trap people underwater.

  From 1985 to 2004:
  -At least 33 children died as a result of this entrapment.
  -100 were seriously injured.

• The suction force is too strong for anyone to free themselves.

  Even several onlookers may not be able to lift a child off a drain.
  To break that suction would be like lifting more than 500 pounds.