May 26, 2011 - Summer is a time of vacations and family fun for most people. But with the rise in gas prices, many Georgians will likely stay close to home this summer and look for leisure-time activities like biking, hiking and swimming.

“Swimming at the pool, beach or lake can be a great way to stay active and keep cool, but we need to remember that these can also be dangerous locations, said Ben Taylor, PA-C, PhD. Taylor is the public information chair of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants (GAPA) and works in multiple emergency departments in Georgia and South Carolina. “We see all too many illnesses and injuries coming into the emergency room this time of the year, particularly from mishaps or negligence at neighborhood and backyard pools.”

GAPA would like to remind Georgia families to remain vigilant and healthy around the pool this summer, and encourages parents to review and heed these important pool safety tips: 

•    Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. There should always be an adult to supervise children in and around the swimming pool area.  
•    Maintain constant eye-to-eye supervision with children younger than five years old in and around the swimming pool.
•    Remove children from the swimming pool area for any distraction such as a telephone call or bathroom break.
•    Put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least four feet high around all four sides of the pool. This fence should completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
•    Keep rescue equipment (such as a “shepherd's hook” or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
•    Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests. “Floaties” or other pool toys and inflatable flotation devices are not life jackets and should never be substituted for adult supervision.
•    Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
•    Secure the pool as soon as children have finished swimming.
•    In addition to placing a fence between your house and the pool, consider installing a power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). Please note that safety features alone will not prevent all drownings. There is no substitute for adult supervision.
•    Learn how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Learn more and obtain online training from the American Heart Association (AHA) at onlineaha.org.
•    Enroll your child in swimming lessons but remember, teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in the water.

GAPA also wants to remind parents and pool operators to maintain a healthy pool to deter recreational water illnesses (RWIs). These are caused by swallowing, breathing in or having contact with contaminated water in swimming pools, hot tubs, water parks, water play areas, interactive fountains, lakes, rivers, or oceans. Related illnesses can include gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic and wound infections, but the most common RWI is diarrhea.

“RWIs can lead to serious reactions and even death, especially in children,” said Taylor. “Maintaining a healthy pool includes routine cleaning and maintenance but also being prepared to deal with spills of body fluids like blood, feces, and vomit on the pool deck. You can use a bleach solution made from nine parts cool water and one part household bleach to clean up and disinfect the area.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information for professionals and the public including training courses on pool design and operation along with disinfection methods for use after water and surface contamination. Look for details at cdc.gov/healthywater/.

The mission of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants is to promote high quality, cost-effective, accessible healthcare as part of a Physician-directed PA/Physician team. Georgians can find a member PA near them by clicking on the “Find a PA” tab at gapa.net.