This is a column in a series from Dr. Scott Hamilton, director of the Pediatric Emergency Department at Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center, offering practical guidance on preventing and treating illnesses and injuries so kids can stay healthy and out of the emergency department.
Walt is a fellow emergency room doctor who had been an Air Force pararescue jumper, or PJ. This elite team rescues downed pilots, particularly in water. Thus, Walt’s a strong swimmer. One day at the beach, he and his 8-year-old son were swept out to sea by a riptide. Hundreds of yards out, Walt spotted a current that could carry them back to shore, but the stream he was in prevented him from swimming to it. After hours of trying to break through while holding up his son, exhausted, he resigned himself to throwing his son to the beachbound current before he himself would drown. Just then a rogue wave slapped them into that good current and they made it back. Walt never went to the beach again without numerous flotation devices.
Louisiana ranks third in the nation for child drownings. It’s no wonder: We have beaches, bayous, lakes, pools and the heat to drive us into those waters. A common scenario involves pool parties. The adults are chatting, drinking and paying little attention. As things wind down, someone realizes a child is missing and finds them at the bottom of the pool. No one was watching carefully enough, and kids don’t make a fuss when they drown. Instead of splashing and hollering, they sink quietly…