Emergency responders share water safety tips for pools in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- With school out for the summer, families across Kentuckiana will be hitting the pools over the next few months.

Local emergency responders are encouraging people to stay safe while swimming this year. Adrienne Renner, with Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS, said people shouldn't swim alone and it's even better if someone knows how to do CPR.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of death for children between the ages of 5-14. Nationally, there are around 4,000 drowning incidents each year, averaging up to 11 drowning deaths per day.

People are encouraged to designate a water watcher if a pool doesn't have a lifeguard on duty. Pool-goers can take 15-minute no-distraction shifts while watching the pool.

Renner said if there is an incident, swimmers should try to get the person out of the water, call 911, start CPR and prepare a defibrillator if there is an AED nearby.

"So the quicker we get oxygen back in, the better (the) outcomes," Renner said. "But if you're not comfortable doing that please at least start chest compressions to hopefully get water out of their lungs and get the heart restarted as quickly as possible."

Life jackets are also a good idea, according to Renner.

Anchorage Middletown Fire is asking people to drop off gently used or new life jackets on Thursday between 1-3 p.m. at Captain's Quarters at 5700 Captain's Quarters Road in Prospect, Kentucky.

The jackets will be available for people to use at stands along the Ohio River.

Related Stories: