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# Staying safe by the water’s edge Wet stuff can be deadly if the proper care is not given
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/staying-safe-by-the-waters-edge-wet-stuff-can-be-deadly-if-the-proper-care-is-not-given/
- Published: 2007-06-02T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-24T00:56:45.000Z
- Author: Kevin Herrera
- Tags: local, Santa Monica, #archive-import

CITYWIDE Pools and beaches can be great places for summer fun and can offer cool relief from hot weather, but water can also be dangerous, even deadly, if swimmers don’t take the proper precautions.

With summer quickly approaching and the school year winding down, public safety officials are warning people to be careful when near water and always pay attention to their surroundings.

“You have to constantly be proactive, because it only takes a few seconds for something devastating to occur,” said Capt. Terry Harvey, a 25-year-veteran of the Los Angeles County Lifeguard Division.

In California, drowning is a leading cause of accidental deaths for children ages 1 through 4, according to SafeKids USA.

Drowning, which can occur in as little as one inch of water, is typically quick and silent. A child will lose consciousness two minutes after submersion, with irreversible brain damage occurring within four to six minutes.

For children who do survive, the consequences of near-drowning can be devastating. As many as 20 percent of near-drowning survivors suffer severe, permanent neurological disability, the effects of which often result in long-lasting psychological and emotional trauma for the child, his or her family, even their community.

Near drownings also take a tremendous financial toll on affected families and society as a whole. Typical medical costs for a near-drowning victim can range from $75,000 for initial treatment to $180,000 a year for long-term care.

In California, there are more than 330 people with irreversible brain damage because of near drowning incidents.

For those who have pools in their backyards, proper supervision is the key to preventing accidents. Adequate supervision means not sitting poolside reading, socializing with guests, chatting on the phone, operating the grill or listening to music with a headset. Such distractions can be deadly, child trauma experts said.

Access to the pool or spa area should also be limited by locked doors or self-closing, self-latching gates or fences.

Keep rescue equipment such as a long-handled hook and buoy with a rope hanging near the pool.

Parents are encouraged to take CPR classes and designate an adult to be a pool attendant during barbecues or backyard parties. Oftentimes, adults can become too comfortable in a group and take their eyes off the pool because they think someone else is watching. There are several stories about youngsters drowning in pools and lakes even though there were scores of adults around.

As for the open ocean, supervision is still the leading way to prevent injury or death, Harvey said.

This year, it could be especially deadly given strong swells creating later currents that can cause a swimmer to drift hundreds of yards during an outing.

“We have noticed a strong lateral current so far and it is something we want to point out to parents,” Harvey said. “Swimmers need to be aware of what (lifeguard) tower they are at and if necessary, write it down on their hand to remind them. With strong currents like this, it is easy to get lost.”

Harvey said swimmers should always make contact with the nearest lifeguard and ask them where a good spot to swim is so that they can avoid powerful currents.

Roughly 80 percent of rescues at the beach are because a swimmer got caught in a current that pulls them out to sea, Harvey said.

Water isn’t the only concern. Dehydration can also be a silent killer. Those who are active during the summer months should make sure they drink plenty of water, especially those who are laying out on the beach in the hot sun.

“Bring sun screen, hats and umbrellas,” Harvey said. “And of course bring lots of water to drink and stay hydrated. That is very important.”

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 2, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/060207.pdf?ref=smdp.com)