“Still Have Access To Their Limbs”: As Nearly 900 Kids Die Every Year In the US Due To Drowning, Swimming Instructor Comes Up With A Life-Saving Tip For Parents

Every year, a heartbreaking reality unfolds in the United States. Lives of close to 900 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19, are claimed owing to unintentional drowning incidents. The reasons behind these tragedies are varied, underscoring the need for utmost caution.

Stepping forward as a water safety advocate, one individual has chosen social media as a powerful tool to enlighten parents. Her mission is to educate parents on the safest way to dry and wrap their children in a towel after swimming. As lives hang in the balance, what crucial insights can parents gain to safeguard their young swimmers?

Nikki Scarnati’s Careful Approach to Swimming Safety

Nikki Scarnati, is a certified ISR swim instructor, and most all a caring mother. She takes the initiative to educate everyone on an essential aspect of water safety through an enlightening TikTok video. In the video, Scarnati passionately demonstrates the correct technique for wrapping a towel around a child after swimming, highlighting a common mistake made by many parents. She states, “I see it happen so many times, and I myself, as a parent, did it without even realizing it was a thing.” Scarnati educates about the alarming consequence that if the kids were to fall into the water, they could find themselves drowning beneath the weight of the wet towel.

Parents are advised by the swim instructor to begin by drying their child’s arms and then securely wrapping their torso leaving the hands outside the towel. She compares this approach to how adults wrap themselves with a towel after showering. By following this method, Scarnati concludes, “If they end up in the water, they still have access to their limbs to self-rescue and they’re that much safer.” Nikki Scarnati’s dedication to educating others on water safety stems from the unfortunate injuries and incidents that occur due to a lack of caution.

Alarming Drowning Statistics Reveal Urgent Need for Action

Every year in the United States, nearly 900 children and adolescents tragically lose their lives to unintentional drowning. Shockingly, drowning reigns as the foremost cause of unintentional injury deaths for children aged 1-4, with a distressing average of 10 fatal incidents transpiring daily. It is noted that around 80% of people who die from drowning are male.

Read More: “Deepest Sympathy for the Family”: Shocking Incidents Rock Swimming Community As 15-Year-Old Drowns and 5 Remain Critical at Popular Beach 

Additionally, according to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, death from unintentional drowning is impacting more African-American and Spanish-speaking communities, than Caucasian children. This disparity is evident in the drowning rates of African-American children aged 5 to 9, which are 2.6 times higher. Sometimes economic disparities also contribute, as households earning lesser, face issues like limited swimming abilities. Not wearing a life jacket, and drinking alcohol are some of the common causes of drowning along with lack of supervision. 658 boating accident deaths were reported by  The U.S. Coast Guard in 2021. 83% in this scenario were found dead as they were not wearing a life jacket.

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