This 1825 newspaper article explains how keeping one's limbs beneath the water's surface provides buoyancy, enabling the head to stay above water. Treading water is described in simple terms.<unk>  prevention campaign in 267x267px It is estimated that more than 85% of<unk> s could be prevented by supervision, training in water skills, technology, and public education. * Surveillance: Watching the swimmers is a basic task, because<unk> s can be silent and unnoticed: a person<unk>  may not always be able to attract attention or even could have become unconscious. Surveillance is especially important in children. More than 500 children die from<unk>  each day, and young children should be supervised, regardless of whether they can already swim. The danger increases when they are alone. A baby can drown in the bathtub, in the toilet, and even in a small bucket filled with less than an inch of water. It only takes around 2 minutes underwater for an adult to lose consciousness, and only between 30 seconds and 2 minutes for a small child to die. Choosing supervised swimming places is safer. Many pools and bathing areas either have lifeguards or a pool safety camera system for local or remote monitoring, and some have computer-aided<unk>  detection. Bystanders are also important in detection of<unk> s and in notifying them (personally or by phone, alarm, etc.) to lifeguards, who may be unaware if distracted or busy. Evidence shows that alarms in pools are poor for any utility. The World Health Organization recommends analyzing when the most crowded hours in the swimming zones are, and to increase the number of lifeguards at those moments. * Learning to swim: Being able to swim is one of the best defenses against<unk> . It is recommended that children learn to swim in a safe and supervised environment when they are between 1 and 4 years old. Learning to swim is also possible in adults by using the same methods as children. It's still possible to drown even after learning to swim (because of the state of the water and other circumstances), so it's recommended to choose swimming places that are safe and kept under surveillance. * Additional education: The WHO recommends training the general public in first-aid for the drowned, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and to behave safely when in the water. It is recommended to teach those who cannot swim to keep themselves away from deep waters. * Pool fencing: Every private or public swimming pool should be fenced and enclosed on every side, so no person can access the water unsupervised. The "Raffarin law", applied in France in 2003, forced the fencing of pools. Drain hole in a pool. * Pool drains: Swimming pools often have drainage systems to cycle the water. Drains without covers can injure swimmers by trapping hair or other parts of the body, leading to immobilization and<unk> . Drains should not suction too strongly. It is recommended for a pool to have many small drainage holes instead of a single large one. Periodic revisions are required to certify that the system is working well. * Caution with certain conditions: Some conditions require one to be cautious when near water. Epilepsy and other seizure disorders can be dangerous to swim, dive, and bathe with because of the possibility of<unk>  during a convulsion. It is recommended that people with these conditions take showers rather than baths and are taught about the dangers of<unk> . * Alcohol or drugs: Alcohol and drugs increase the probability of<unk> . This danger is greater in bars near the water and parties on boats where alcohol is consumed. For example, Finland sees several<unk> s every year at Midsummer weekend as Finnish people spend more time in and around the lakes and beaches, often after having consumed alcohol. Lifejacket (model without rear part). To jump with it into the water, fasten the strap around the body and grab the front neck area with both hands. *Lifejacket use: Children that cannot swim and other people at risk of<unk>  should wear a fastened and well-fitting lifejacket when near or in the water. Other flotation devices (inflatable inner tubes, water wings, foam tubes, etc.) may be useful, although they are usually considered toys. Other flotation instruments are considered safe, like the professional circle-shaped lifebuoy (hoop-buoy, ring-buoy, life-ring, life-donut, lifesaver, or life preserver), which is mainly designed to be thrown, and some other professional variants that are used by lifeguards in their rescues. *Depth awareness: Diving accidents in pools can cause serious injury. Up to 21% of shallow-water diving accidents can cause spinal injury, occasionally leading to death. Between 1.2% and 22% of all spinal injuries are from diving accidents. If the person does not die, the injury could cause permanent paralysis. *Avoid dangerous waters: Avoid swimming in waters that are too turbulent, where waves are large, with dangerous animals, or are too cold. Avoid dragging currents; these are currents that are turbulent, foamy, and that drag things or debris. If caught by one of these currents, swim out from it (it is possible to move out gradually, in a diagonal direction until you arrive at the shore). Hoop-buoy in a boat. *Navigating safely: Many people who die by<unk>  die in navigation accidents. Safe navigation practices include being informed of the state of the sea and equipping the boat with regulatory instruments to keep people afloat. These instruments are lifejackets (see 'lifejacket use' above) and professional lifebuoys with the shape of a circle (ring-buoy, hoop-buoy, life-ring, life-donut, lifesaver, or life preserver). *Use the "buddy system": Don't swim alone, but with another person who can help in case of a problem. *Follow the rules: Most people who drown did not follow the safety guidelines. It is important to pay attention to the signage that indicates if swimming is possible and the directions of the authorities' directions. (lifeguards, coastguards, etc.)
Drowning
Arrhythmia
Heat stroke
Hypoglycemia
Sudden wealth syndrome
Murder
Heat exhaustion
Seizure