10
In a medical emergency call Netcare 911 on 082 911
09 Preventing drowning
It only takes a moment for a child or a weak swimmer to drown –
less than the time it takes to reply to a text. Death or injury caused
by drowning happens every day in the sea, pools, hot tubs, rivers,
streams, bathtubs, buckets, and the toilet.
- If a child is missing, check the water immediately. Seconds count to
prevent death or injury.
- Always have a first aid kit handy for unforeseen injuries and illnesses.
- Know what to do in a water emergency, including how to help
someone in trouble.
- Never swim if you have consumed alcohol or taken drugs.
- Never swim alone, and ensure children only swim when supervised by
a sober adult who can swim.
Water safety tips
• Do not dive into the shallow end of a swimming pool or any water
source where you cannot see what is below the surface.
• Make sure your swimming pool is covered with a net or enclosed with
a SABS approved fence to prevent children from falling in.
• Be aware that small children can drown in very small amounts of
water like buckets, toilets, bathtubs, fish ponds, water features and
jacuzzies and the necessary precautions.
