Avoca, Durban – A two-year-old girl’s life was saved on Sunday morning after a distressing near-drowning incident occurred in her family’s swimming pool. The young child was discovered floating unresponsive in the pool at her home in Avoca, prompting swift action from vigilant neighbors who quickly performed CPR.
According to reports, neighbors immediately reached out to the Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) for assistance around 9:04 am. Reaction officers rushed to the scene and were relieved to find that the child had already been successfully resuscitated by the proactive neighbors who had administered CPR to the unresponsive toddler. Rusa director Prem Balram praised the quick thinking and life-saving efforts of the neighbors.
Netcare 911 paramedics arrived promptly, stabilizing the child’s condition. A specialized medical helicopter from Netcare 911 was dispatched to airlift the toddler to the hospital for further medical attention. The specialized medical team provided advanced life support treatment, ensuring the child’s safe transport to the hospital.
It is crucial to be reminded of the importance of pool safety, especially when it comes to young children. Accidents like this can happen within moments, underscoring the need for constant supervision and preventive measures when around swimming pools.
Pool Safety Tips:
- Supervision: Always closely supervise children near water, even if they can swim. Accidents can occur quickly and silently.
- Barriers: Install secure fencing around pools to prevent unauthorized access. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching.
- Floatation Devices: Equip non-swimmers with proper floatation devices, such as life jackets, when in or around the pool.
- CPR Training: Learn CPR and first aid techniques, as immediate response can make a significant difference in emergencies.
- No Running: Establish a “no running” rule around the pool to prevent slips and falls.
- Drain Safety: Ensure pool drains and suction outlets are compliant with safety regulations to prevent entrapment.
- Empty Containers: Store empty water containers and buckets upside down to prevent them from collecting water, which can attract young children.
- Educate Children: Teach children about pool safety, including the importance of not entering the pool area without adult supervision.
- Designated Watcher: Designate an adult as the “water watcher” during pool gatherings, ensuring constant vigilance.
- Emergency Equipment: Keep reaching or throwing equipment by the poolside, such as a lifebuoy or shepherd’s crook, in case of emergencies.
By following these safety measures, we can reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for our children around pools.
