When Seconds Count - Swimming Pool Owners & Pediatric CPR

There are a lot of responsibilities that go along with having a swimming pool in your backyard, particularly if you have small children or there are small children in your neighborhood. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the leading cause of death due to injury for children one to four years old. And while it's highly recommended and possibly a legal requirement depending on local and state ordinances to surround your pool with fencing and a locking gate, preventative measures don't always work.

Therefore, if you have a swimming pool in your backyard, it's a good idea to learn pediatric CPR. Here's what you need to know. 

Know How to Give Pediatric CPR

The unimaginable can happen in the blink of an eye. When it comes to drowning, seconds count. Deprivation of oxygen to the brain can lead to permanent damage or death. It can also cause acute asphyxial cardiac arrest. Starting CPR as quickly as possible is crucial in saving the life of a drowning victim. Take pediatric CPR courses so you can learn the effective measures to take if you are ever faced with this situation. Pediatric CPR is a bit different from CPR for adolescents and adults, given the fragility of babies and small children. 

Know When to Call 911

Obviously, you'll need to call 911. The question is when. You absolutely must perform CPR first. If there is no one else around, continue giving CPR without stopping to call 911 before the child recovers. When taking the pediatric CPR course, your instructor will tell you the appropriate time when you can call 911 if you are alone when performing CPR. Take copious notes so you can refer back to them over time. That way, the information will be ingrained in your memory and you won't have to stop to think what to do when timing everything is so critical. 

Always Keep Your Cell Phone Charged & Handy

Of course, in order to call 911 from poolside, you'll need to have your cell phone handy and the battery charged. Tell the operator that you've performed CPR and that you've had training to do so on small children. He or she will ask you questions regarding the health and mental status of the child, of course in addition to your location. Do not hang up. Stay on the phone with the operator until the first responders arrive.