In the summer, cooling off in the water is a great activity that is enjoyed by people of all ages. If you are a strong and frequent swimmer, you may be very comfor
table around water. Regardless of skill and experience, it is important to be wary around the water. Even the most talented swimmers experience injuries in oceans, rivers, lakes, and pools. Know the risks, and take precautions when it comes to water-related activities.
According to the CDC, about ten people die every day because of unintentional drowning. It is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States and the second leading cause of death for children. There are many reasons why these statistics are so high, and with the right safety precautions you can keep you and your family safe in the water.
Why do water-related injuries occur?
Some of the causes of water-related injuries and deaths are:
- inability to swim
- not wearing a life jacket when needed
- use of drugs and alcohol around water
- unsupervised children in the pool
- natural occurrences such as a rip tide
Preventing water-related injuries.
It can be easy to prevent water-related injuries if you’re willing to take the time to learn how
- Take swimming lessons and ask your family to as well. Teaching children to swim can prevent the many drownings that occur in swimming pools with children ages 1-4.
- Learn CPR. CPR can revive an individual within seconds if properly executed. A water-related death can easily be avoided if you and your family are CPR certified. High Schools in New Jersey now require students to learn CPR before graduating.
- Supervise children in the pool and any body of water.
- Use a life vest when appropriate. If life jackets were always used on boats, drowning statistics would be cut in half.
- Never take on water alone. Use the buddy system whether you’re swimming in the pool or kayaking in the river. There is always danger present, no matter how skilled you are, and it is always better to have a friend along to help in case of emergency.
Have you suffered a water-related injury?
If you or a loved one have suffered an injury in the water, it is important to find out who is responsible. If an injury or death occurred because of negligence, it can be the fault of the property manager, boat operator, water park workers, individual(s) responsible for supervision, or another party. With the right lawyer, you can find who is expected to pay the bills for your injury and get back to living life. Jersey City attorney Anthony Carbone is experienced in all types of personal injury cases, and is ready to fight for you to receive the compensation you are owed.
