ORLANDO, Fla. – As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, HCA Florida Healthcare is reminding Central Florida families and visitors to make water safety a priority before heading to the beach, pool, lake or river.
Each year, emergency care teams treat patients for preventable water-related injuries, including drownings, near-drownings, boating injuries, falls, cuts, heat-related illness and alcohol-related accidents. With more families spending time outdoors and on the water, emergency physicians say planning ahead can help save lives.
“Memorial Day is a time when many families gather near the water, and it is also a time when we begin to see more serious water-related injuries in our emergency departments,” said HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital Emergency Medicine Medical Director Dr. Mihir Tak. “Drowning can happen quickly and silently, and alcohol, distraction and lack of supervision increase the risk. A few simple steps before getting in or near the water can make all the difference.”
HCA Florida Healthcare encourages families to follow these water safety tips:
- Designate a water watcher. Adults should take turns actively watching children near water without distractions, including phones.
- Use life jackets. Children, inexperienced swimmers and anyone boating or using personal watercraft should wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Avoid alcohol when swimming or boating. Alcohol can impair judgment, balance and reaction time, increasing the risk of injury or drowning.
- Know the conditions. Check weather, currents, tides and beach warning flags before entering the water. Avoid swimming during or immediately after storms or in unfamiliar areas.
- Swim near a lifeguard. Choose designated swimming areas whenever possible.
- Learn CPR. Immediate CPR can improve outcomes while emergency help is on the way.
- Call 911 immediately if someone is missing in the water, struggling to breathe, loses consciousness or experiences a severe injury.
HCA Florida Healthcare encourages families to check beach warning flags before entering the surf and to take them seriously.
- Double red flags – water closed to the public.
- Red flag – high hazard such as strong surf or dangerous currents – avoid entering water.
- Yellow flag – moderate hazard, use caution.
- Green flag – low hazard.
- Purple flag – dangerous marine life.
“Beach flags are there for a reason,” said Dr. Tak. “Even strong swimmers can be overcome by rip currents or rough surf. Before you or your children enter the water, check the posted flags, talk with a lifeguard and avoid swimming when conditions are dangerous.”
HCA Florida Healthcare is expanding access to emergency care to provide care closer to home when patients need it most. With 50 hospitals, more than 75 freestanding emergency rooms and more than 2.9 million emergency visits to its facilities last year, HCA Florida Healthcare teams are making a difference when seconds count. Visit hcafloridahealthcare.com to find emergency care or other healthcare services near you.
Provided by HCA Florida Healthcare