Why A Need For Ice Safety Education?
Kids are adventurous, very curious...and even fearless...
1.2 million people around the world die by drowning each year-that is more than 2 persons per minute. From that more than 50% are children(international life saving federation. ilsf.org) Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for persons 15-44 years of age with approx. 6,000 people drowning in the US.(web-based sat. cdc.) What is surprising is that two-thirds of those people who drown had no intention of being on the water.Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the US, where about 10 people die from drowning every day.
The risk is even greater among kids 1-4, who have the highest drowning rates, and it remains the second-leading cause of accidental death (second only to motor vehicle accidents) for kids 1-14.1
On February 19th ,2010 a young mother , Kathy Baxmeyer(40) ,her son Kadin and his friend Austin , all lost their lives by falling through thin ice and drowning...it was my nephews 7th birthday. Until our family experienced this tragedy, ice safety wasn't much of a thought . Sure, tell the kids to stay off the ice- it isn't that simple we know now. The week before they passed they had been driving 4 wheelers and sleds without fear on the small frozen pond . Tragically, just a week later the ice on the pond proved to be too thin. Project Skippers goal is to bring information to parents and teachers which stresses ice safety, self- rescue techniques and opens communication to keep kid's safe.
1.2 million people around the world die by drowning each year-that is more than 2 persons per minute. From that more than 50% are children(international life saving federation. ilsf.org) Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for persons 15-44 years of age with approx. 6,000 people drowning in the US.(web-based sat. cdc.) What is surprising is that two-thirds of those people who drown had no intention of being on the water.Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the US, where about 10 people die from drowning every day.
The risk is even greater among kids 1-4, who have the highest drowning rates, and it remains the second-leading cause of accidental death (second only to motor vehicle accidents) for kids 1-14.1
On February 19th ,2010 a young mother , Kathy Baxmeyer(40) ,her son Kadin and his friend Austin , all lost their lives by falling through thin ice and drowning...it was my nephews 7th birthday. Until our family experienced this tragedy, ice safety wasn't much of a thought . Sure, tell the kids to stay off the ice- it isn't that simple we know now. The week before they passed they had been driving 4 wheelers and sleds without fear on the small frozen pond . Tragically, just a week later the ice on the pond proved to be too thin. Project Skippers goal is to bring information to parents and teachers which stresses ice safety, self- rescue techniques and opens communication to keep kid's safe.
Have a plan in place if you are intending to do ice activities. Wear personal flotation devices as if you would be swimming in the summer, wear a whistle around your neck in case you need to sound an alert, keep a mobile phone close, have a pole, ladder, garden hose, fallen tree branch to throw to someone in distress,(keep these by the water) but do not go onto the ice to save someone,(a pet or a toy) who has fallen through the thin ice, you may become a victim yourself. Always tell others where you are going and never go at it alone.
IN AM EMERGENCY SITUATION CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY! get help on the way. First responders are familiar and trained in cold water rescue techniques(treating dangerous hypothermia)
IN AM EMERGENCY SITUATION CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY! get help on the way. First responders are familiar and trained in cold water rescue techniques(treating dangerous hypothermia)
