“Drownings can happen at any time of year, but in South Africa, we see a marked increase during the warmer months,” says Netcare 911 spokesperson Russel Meiring. “As summer draws near, it is crucial to remember that the risk of drowning tragically increases with hot weather, and drowning can occur anywhere. Constantly assessing potential risks around water, particularly where children are concerned, is therefore essential.”
According to Meiring, the battle against drowning in South Africa is multifaceted, requiring a combination of education, technology and community engagement. “By taking proactive measures and fostering a culture of water safety, we can turn the tide on this preventable tragedy,” he adds.
Water safety tips
- Never swim alone.
- Never swim in the sea, dams or rivers at night.
- Avoid swimming while under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants.
- When near water, children must always be supervised by a responsible adult who is not distracted.
- Ensure children do not have access to pools, ponds, water features, baths, buckets of water or open toilets – young children can drown in as little as 4cm of water.
- Ensure your swimming pool is covered with a pool net or enclosed with a SABS-approved fence to prevent children from accidentally falling into the water.
- At the beach, only swim in designated areas with lifeguards and don’t swim far out.
- Remember, swimming in the sea is very different to swimming in a pool or dam, even for experienced swimmers.
- Only dive into a body of water if you can see what is below the surface, and always be sure to test the depth first.
Immediate actions when a child falls into water
Meiring says the first step is to get the child out of the water safely, using a suitable flotation device if necessary. “Perform a quick survey to check if the child is responsive and if they are breathing. If the child is breathing, place them on his side and call Netcare 911 on 082911 for assistance. If the child is unresponsive and not breathing, CPR must be performed,” he adds.
Who are you going to call?
“Call Netcare 911 by dialling 082 911 or utilise the Netcare Application (App). The emergency number should be placed in an easily accessible place such as on the fridge or near the landline Meiring suggests.
“It can be difficult to remember what number to call in a stressful emergency or to provide directions. The emergency call and geolocation functions on the Netcare App assist in minimising response times by ensuring we have your precise location so the emergency vehicle can find you – even in remote areas or if the caller doesn’t know the address."
The Netcare App also includes a Netcare 911 60-second call back option. The app also provides detailed resource tracking, allowing the user to follow the ambulance and/or response vehicles’ route.
CPR: Hands-only technique
Commence hands-on CPR if the child is unresponsive, not showing signs of life and not breathing. Place them on a firm, flat surface, kneel next to the child, place one hand in the centre of the chest and begin chest compressions. This should be done hard and fast.
Continue hands-only CPR until help arrives or the child becomes responsive or shows signs of life, such as breathing or coughing.
CPR: Mouth-to-mouth no longer the only way to administer CPR
Netcare 911’s digitally enabled life-saving service puts callers phoning from the scene of a medical emergency face-to-face with trained Netcare 911 emergency healthcare providers to demonstrate and guide them through the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) technique until paramedics arrive.
Particularly since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the public may be hesitant to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on anyone other than an immediate family member in an emergency – however this aspect is no longer considered necessary.
“Few people are aware that CPR does not require mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, as recent findings show ‘hands only’ CPR can be as effective as the traditional technique involving giving the patient rescue breaths,” says Shalen Ramduth, Netcare 911’s operations director.
The American Heart Association now recommends that members of the public perform ‘hands only’ CPR using chest compressions alone if an adult collapses and they are not in a healthcare setting.
Empowering lifesaving skills through telehealth
“Even if you have never done CPR before, Netcare 911’s national emergency operations centre [EOC] is putting life-saving skills into the hands of the public with this new, innovative application of telehealth video call technology,” adds Ramduth.
When a caller reports an emergency requiring CPR to Netcare 911’s EOC on 082 911, the coordinator immediately initiates the video calling process by sending the caller a link via SMS to a live, secure video platform. The caller clicks on the link to connect with the Netcare 911 emergency care providers, enabling them to see and hear each other.
“A second qualified health provider, a registered nurse or paramedic, then demonstrates the relevant CPR technique for an adult, child or an infant on an appropriately sized mannequin representing the patient at our designated and specially equipped telehealth CPR station at our EOC. All the while, a case manager coaches the caller to copy their actions to perform CPR correctly on the patient at the scene.”
“Thanks to the visual element of the two-way video link, the caller can more accurately follow the CPR technique required, while our ‘CPR coach’ provides informed and detailed feedback to the caller to guide their CPR efforts.
“In this way, it is possible for the caller to replicate the CPR actions, with the necessary depth and rate of chest compressions to keep the patient’s blood circulating to their vital organs until professional help arrives on the scene,” she says.
The video link also makes it possible for the EOC coordinators and healthcare practitioners to do a more detailed immediate assessment of the patient remotely, which can be significant for clinical decision making and help in the coordination of resources to evacuate the patient using the most effective transport modality available.
Building confidence to save lives
“Through this easy-to-use service, we hope more South Africans will gain the confidence to get involved and assist a person in need of life-saving resuscitation. It is less daunting to attempt CPR if you can copy a professional’s actions, and all the time, the caller is being encouraged and coached through every step to help ensure they are doing it correctly, even if the caller has had no prior training,” Ramduth adds.
“This can buy precious time to save the heart and brain by keeping the blood supply moving around the patient’s body until paramedics are on scene to take over, which can improve outcomes exponentially.”
The Netcare 911 live video link telehealth service is provided through the secure Netcare VirtualCare platform, with all data encrypted to protect the caller, ensure patient privacy, and protect confidential information. Using the platform does not require downloading an app and is very user-friendly yet secure.
“In emergency medical situations, applying technology in this innovative way can help save many more lives and inspire more South Africans with the knowledge to lend a hand with ‘hands only’ CPR if needed,” Ramduth says.
A lifesaving commitment beyond summer
While summer months see a spike in drowning incidents due to increased water activities, it is crucial to remain vigilant year-round. Water safety should always be a priority, regardless of the season. By adhering to these safety tips and utilising the resources provided by Netcare 911, you can significantly reduce the risk of drowning and be prepared to respond effectively in any emergency.
“A few simple precautions can make for a less stressful experience around water, and Netcare 911 is here to assist you in any medical emergency, no matter the time of year,” Meiring says.
Final thought: staying safe year-round
“In essence, water safety is a year-round commitment. By staying informed, prepared, and vigilant, we can protect ourselves and our loved ones from the tragic consequences of drowning. Netcare 911’s innovative solutions and expert advice are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that you are never alone in an emergency,” concludes Meiring.
Child drowning prevention toolbox
Prevent drowning tragedies with these practical tips:
- Learn life-saving skills, including the basics of swimming and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
- Know who to call in an emergency. Be prepared for any medical emergency with Netcare 911 on 082 911 and download the Netcare App, which includes Netcare 911 emergency call and geolocation functions as well as a 60-second callback option.
- Fence ponds, pools and water storage: Install a four-sided isolation fence at least 1.2m high with a self-closing and self-latching gate to control access to bodies of water.
- Be on the lookout. Drownings happen quickly and quietly. Never leave children to supervise each other. A responsible adult must always watch out for children near a pool, Jacuzzi, or natural body of water.
- Stay within arm’s length of children under four around water.
- Don’t drink or be distracted by work, phone calls, technology, or anything else that may absorb your attention when watching children.
- Fit a pool net immediately after swimming and replace it every time.
- Don’t rely on armbands, floating toys, inner tubes, or devices to keep children safe.
- Teach children to swim, but never leave them unsupervised around water.
- Consider installing alarms. Various water alarms, such as a floating pool alarm or external security beams, can be installed to add to the precautions of fencing and supervision.
- Beware of drains. Children must be kept away from pool or Jacuzzi drains as hair or limbs could become trapped in the suction.
- Toilets, bathtubs, water features, fish tanks, pet water bowls and buckets. Children can drown wherever there is access to water, and a baby can drown in just 2.5cm of water.
Ends
Notes to editor: Experience seamless healthcare access with the Netcare App. Enjoy convenient healthcare anytime, anywhere, with expert medical care at your fingertips. Book appointments, consult with GPs virtually and manage pre-admissions all in one place. From emergency response services with geolocation to seamless admission, discover a new level of care. Download the Netcare App today.
Alternatively, contact Netcare Appointmed on 0860 555 565, Mondays to Fridays, 08:00 to 17:00 to make an appointment with a therapist, doctor or specialist practising at a Netcare hospital, Netcare Medicross or Netcare Akeso facility near you.
For media enquiries, contact MNA at the contact details listed below.
Issued by: MNA on behalf of Netcare 911
For media enquiries contact: Martina Nicholson, Meggan Saville, Estene Lotriet-Vorster
or Clementine Forsthofer
Telephone: (011) 469 3016
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