Funded Projects

CATCHING Lifelines: Pediatric Drowning Prevention

Project Year

2024

City & State

Salt Lake City    Utah

Program Name

CATCH Resident

Topic

Advocacy

Program Description

The Problem-Drowning poses a pervasive threat, claiming the lives of 11 children daily and resulting in 22 additional nonfatal incidents. For every child who dies from drowning, another five suffer nonfatal submersion injuries. Nonfatal drowning injuries refer to drownings that do not cause death, but can result in severe brain damage leading to long-term disabilities. Drowning incidents occur in various settings, from pools and bathtubs to rivers, lakes, and even buckets, highlighting the omnipresent risk. The alarming reality is that it takes mere seconds for a child to drown, intensifying the urgency of preventive measures. The American Red Cross's research identified barriers to accessing swim lessons and water safety information, including a lack of perceived risk or priority, fear of water, and various access and cost hurdles. This grant aims to tackle these challenges by highlighting the critical importance of learning to swim and water safety from trained professionals. Primary Setting -Our project targets a few key settings—pediatrician offices, public spaces, and community pools. At pediatrician offices physicians can give crucial information regarding drowning prevention. We will utilize public spaces to host educational sessions for community members. Community pools act as spaces for implementing interventions like life jacket loaner stations and swim lessons. Number of Children Affected-In Utah, unintentional injuries are a prominent cause of death and disabilities among children. The state's annual age-adjusted drowning death rate slightly surpasses the national average at 1.33 per 100,000 people. However, the reported figure of around 31 drownings per year from 2011-2020 likely underrepresents the actual incidence. This issue is exacerbated by significant disparities. American Indian/Alaska Native individuals under 30 experience double the drowning death rates of White individuals, and Black children aged 5-9 and 10-14 have rates 2.6 and 3.6 times higher, respectively. Project Goal- The primary goal is to reduce the incidence of drowning-related injuries and fatalities among children through education, safety equipment, and exposure to water safety through a comprehensive and sustainable drowning prevention initiative.   Proposed Intervention- Education at PCP offices: Encourage PCPs to discuss drowning prevention efforts at home and emphasizing the importance of early intervention. Will offer handouts to provide at visits.   Targeted Education for High-Risks Groups: Focus on reducing disparities in drowning rates especially black children with information sessions taking place in those communities Life Jacket Distribution: Establish life jacket loaner stations at community pools and at educational sessions, with instructions about how to use them. Enhanced Swim Lesson Accessibility and Affordability: Collaborate with community partners to improve access and affordability of local pools and swim lessons.   Anticipated Outcomes - Enhanced Education and Awareness: The primary outcome will be to increase awareness among families regarding the prevalence and consequences of drowning through education initiatives. Barriers to learning to swim or practicing water safety, such as fear of water and a lack of perception of drowning risk, will be systematically addressed by highlighting the critical importance of water safety. Reduced Drowning Risk and Nonfatal/Fatal Injuries: The project anticipates a reduction in drowning risk across age groups through targeted interventions. Life jackets, proven to prevent 50% of boating-related drowning deaths when worn, will be distributed and promoted. Formal swimming lessons, with an 88% risk reduction in young children (ages 1-4), will be actively encouraged.  Establish Sustainable Practices: The project seeks to establish a sustainable education and intervention framework. By informing the community about drowning prevention, it aims to encourage families to enroll their children in swimming lessons. The project recognizes that reaching even a few families can foster improved water safety practices passed down through generations, contributing to long-term risk reduction. 

Project Goal

Reduce the incidence of drowning-related injuries and fatalities among children through education, safety equipment, and exposure to water safety. 

Project Objective 1

By the end of the first year, increase community awareness of drowning risks and prevention measures by conducting two educational sessions in high-risk communities, with a minimum attendance 50-100 parents and caregivers.

Project Objective 2

Within the next year, establish life jacket loaner stations at community pools and educational sessions, distributing a minimum of 50-100 life jackets and providing instructions on proper usage and maintenance.

Project Objective 3

Over the next three years, enhance access to swim lessons for at least 50-100 people, particularly targeting those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and communities with a higher concentration of non-white residents. Collaborate with Swami Swim School and CJ Swim Group to provide free or low-cost swim lessons.

AAP District

District VIII

Institutional Name

University of Utah 

Contact 1

Annika Lenz, MD