Lifesaving 101: Learn CPR and Water Safety at Memorial
Year-Round Educational Opportunities
Swimming Lessons Lessons for children and adults are available at Memorial Hospital West Fitness & Rehabilitation Center all year.
For more information, call (954) 844-7125.
ABCs of CPR
The basics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are taught free year-round in various community settings. ABC stands for "airway, breathing and circulation."
For more information call (954) 276-5985.
Safety Town Interactive safety education is the focus of Safety Town, a program for children in kindergarten and first grade. Bike, fire, stranger, pedestrian and water safety are emphasized.
For more information call (954) 276-5985.
Updated April 2003 - With so many beaches, canals, lakes, and backyard pools, it's no surprise that Florida leads the nation in the number of drownings every year.
"In our geographical location, we're surrounded by water, and the risk of drowning is that much greater," says Kerry Foligno, RN, educator for The Family Birthplace at Memorial Hospital West and an American Heart Association CPR instructor. "One thing we emphasize is that you can never be too prepared."
Although babies may be the most vulnerable to drowning, even older children who know how to swim are at risk if they neglect - or don't know - the rules of water safety. Parents, therefore, should be familiar with CPR techniques and take safety precautions seriously at all times.
"It's so important to follow through," Foligno says. "Many parents purchase and install pool safety gates and then forget to use them regularly. If you have a gate, use it. Otherwise, you're defeating the purpose."
More Safety Tips
Parents should also consider safety precautions beyond the home, including other pools. "A lot of times, a neighbor's pool presents a potential problem," Foligno says. "Make sure that safety precautions are used at every pool your child visits, especially making sure that your children are always supervised when they go elsewhere to swim."
Another safety tip is to remove pool toys from the water and put them away after each use. The same goes for bathing suits.
"Have your children put on dry clothes as soon as they've finished swimming," Foligno says. "It sends the message that pool time is officially over, and it makes your kids feel less tempted to sneak back into the water when you're not looking."