The Water Watchdog program is an initiative of AbbeysHope.org, a charity organization dedicated to empowering communities to reduce risks and solve water infrastructure problems. Through the Water Watchdog program, volunteers become trained eyes and ears in their own community to help detect and report potential water safety issues. By volunteering to be a Water Watchdog, you are helping to ensure that your community’s water is safe and secure.
This is what it says to do if you want your own tag;
To become a water watchdog, please EMAIL US with the following information:
- Full Name
- Mailing Address
- Phone Number
Then, keep an eye on your mailbox as a Water Watchdog Tag will be mailed to you at the address you provide.
Drowning Statistics
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of 14, and is a preventable tragedy. Here are some statistics about drowning:
-Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children 1-4 years old.
-For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
-About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger.
-Sixteen percent of fatal drownings among children 14 and younger occur in natural water environments such as lakes, rivers and oceans.
-Among children 1-4 years old, most drownings occur in home swimming pools.
Warning Signs of Drowning
While most people are aware of the dangers of swimming in open water, many don’t realize that drowning can happen quickly and silently almost anywhere there is water.
Warning signs of drowning include:
-Head low in the water, mouth at water level
-Head tilted back with mouth open
-Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
-Eyes closed
-Hair over forehead or eyes
-Tools or toys floating in the water near victim
-Hyperventilating or gasping
-Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
-Arms flailing
If you see someone exhibiting any of these signs, it is crucial to act quickly. Pull the person out of the water and call 911 immediately.
How to Prevent Drowning
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children under 14, and the fifth leading cause of death for adults. In order to prevent drowning, it is important to understand how it happens and what you can do to stop it.
Most drownings occur when the victim is not expecting it. They may be swimming in a pool and get pushed under by another swimmer, or they may fall into a river or lake while walking along the shore. Drowning can also happen gradually, when someone gets caught in a rip current or starts to panic while swimming.
There are several things you can do to prevent drowning:
1) Pay attention to your surroundings. If you are swimming in a pool, make sure there is someone nearby who can help if you need it. If you are swimming in a river or lake, be aware of your surroundings and look out for potential hazards like currents or drop-offs.
2) Don’t swim alone. Make sure there is someone else with you who knows how to swim and can help if you need it.
3) Learn how to swim. This is one of the best things you can do to prevent drowning. If you don’t know how to swim, take a class or ask someone who does to teach you.
4) Wear life jackets when boating or participating in other water activities. Life jackets can save your life if you fall into water that is too deep
Water Watcher Campaign
The Water Watcher campaign is a national effort to prevent drowning and promote water safety. The campaign encourages everyone to take a active role in preventing drownings by becoming a “Water Watcher.”
As a Water Watcher, you can help prevent drownings by:
* Paying attention to those around you when you are near water
* Knowing how to swim and teaching others how to swim
* Wearing life jackets when boating or participating in water activities
* Being cautious and never swimming alone
* Learning CPR
Conclusion
Water safety is a necessity and being aware of the potential risks that come with swimming, boating and other water related activities is key to helping prevent drowning. From educating yourself on the dangers of deep water to making sure you always swim with a buddy or have somebody keeping watch, there are many ways to ensure your safety while out in the water. Becoming a “water watchdog” can help spread awareness about how important it is for everyone to be vigilant when it comes to staying safe in and around bodies of water.
