Flash flooding dangers
The National Weather Service emphasizes a simple but critical message for flooding situations: "Turn around, don't drown." Driving or walking into flood waters is a major cause of fatalities, as water often moves faster or runs deeper than it appears.
Flash flooding remains one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities in the United States and can happen at any time of day or year. According to meteorologist Meredith Garafalo, flash flooding can occur in as little as a few minutes or after hours of continuous rain in the same location.
"It's especially dangerous at night because you can't always see the floodwaters," Garafalo explains.
Two major contributing factors include the amount of rainfall and how long it persists. Urban areas, low-lying locations, and areas near rivers face particular risks due to limited water absorption and natural drainage patterns.
Understanding the difference between watches and warnings is crucial. A flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for flooding, while a warning indicates conditions are imminent or already occurring.
Different water environments present unique risks
Children aged five through fourteen are more likely to drown in natural bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, and rivers compared to swimming pools. These environments present distinct challenges that require specific safety awareness.
Natural water bodies often have unpredictable currents, varying depths, and limited visibility. Unlike pools with controlled conditions, lakes and rivers can have sudden drop-offs, underwater obstacles, and changing weather conditions that affect water safety.
Retention ponds, commonly found in residential areas, present particular dangers. As noted by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, "they're not bodies of water to swim in." These man-made water features may appear calm but can have steep sides and murky water that conceals hazards.
City officials have identified retention ponds as an ongoing concern, particularly for children with autism who may be drawn to these water sources near their homes. The challenge is that many of these drownings occur on private property, limiting municipal oversight and intervention capabilities.
The tragedy becomes more pronounced for children with autism, who face drowning rates 160 times higher than their typically developing peers. This population is often drawn to water near their homes, making awareness and protective measures especially critical. An incident in Jacksonville, FL involved a 4-year-old boy with autism who was found in a retention pond in the Baymeadows area, highlighting the specific dangers these water features pose.
Pool safety concerns
Drowning deaths, particularly among children, increase during summer months, with July representing the peak period. For children between ages one and four, drowning is the leading cause of death, with a significant number of incidents occurring in home swimming pools.
Tragic incidents underscore these dangers. Eight-year-old Christopher's body was discovered at the bottom of a swimming pool at a Holiday Inn in Strongsville where his family was staying. According to police call logs, the pool was checked at least three times before Christopher's body was found, almost nine hours after he was reported missing. The pool was described as "murky" and "cloudy," conditions that create serious safety hazards beyond just visibility issues.
Murky pool water can harbor algae, harmful microorganisms, and bacteria that cause skin, respiratory, ear, and gastric infections. Such conditions can also host viral infections including norovirus and hepatitis A.
Recognizing drowning signs
Contrary to Hollywood portrayals, real drowning incidents are much harder to spot than many people realize. For several years, Kevin Kreeger, Aquatics Director for Hastings Water Works, trained approximately 450 Northeast Ohio lifeguards each summer and emphasized that drowning is typically silent.
"The movie typically shows the person yelling and screaming for help. That's not what happens in real life," Kreeger explains. "They go into survival. They're trying to breathe. They don't call out for help."
Drowning can progress to unconsciousness in less than two minutes, making constant vigilance essential for parents and caregivers.
Prevention strategies
The CDC recommends several key prevention steps: learning to swim, using life jackets, building barriers around pools, and maintaining constant supervision of children near water. Additional measures include avoiding alcohol and drugs before swimming, understanding natural water risks, and learning CPR.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance identifies five layers of protection: barriers and alarms, supervision, water competency, life jackets, and emergency preparedness.
Bruce Barton, Chief of Pennsylvania Search and Rescue Recovery Team, emphasizes that many drowning incidents involve people not wearing personal flotation devices. He stresses that life jackets must fit properly, comparing the tightness to "a corset."
For water activities, experts recommend informing others of your plans, including expected return times and emergency contacts.
Swimsuit color considerations
Research from Alive Solutions demonstrates that brighter colored swimsuits are easier to spot underwater compared to lighter colors. Their color tests show that bright reds, pinks, blues, and greens remain visible underwater, while white and light blue essentially disappear.
"Neon colors are much better, they're easier to spot in the water," confirms Allie Leriche with Charlotte Aquatics.
However, experts emphasize that swimsuit color serves only as a secondary safety measure. Active supervision and swimming lessons remain the primary prevention methods. Formal swim lessons can reduce drowning risk by 88%.
Water safety education should begin at the earliest ages, similar to teaching children to look both ways before crossing streets or avoiding hot stoves. As communities continue to address these preventable tragedies, the message remains clear: vigilance, preparation, and proper safety measures can save lives.
Monica Robins is not a medical doctor. All content presented in this program is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your personal doctor or qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding your health or medical condition.
