A 16-month-old drowned in a swimming pool in Bordeaux on the evening of 9 December.
Netcare 911 media liaison, Nick Dollman said according to a caller the toddler had been found in the swimming pool. continued that the emergency operations centre guided the caller with telephonic instructions on how to perform CPR while paramedics were dispatched to the scene.
“Upon arrival at the scene, Netcare 911 Advanced Life Support paramedics took over with CPR and the resuscitation effort.” Despite efforts, irreversible damage had already occurred and the toddler had died as a result of the drowning. “We handed it over to the Saps who were on the scene to investigate the incident.”
He explained that the number of drowning incidents they attend to increases in summer and over the year-end holiday period.
Unprotected water sources such as water features, jacuzzis, fish ponds, swimming pools, large buckets or containers of water are all potential hazards for small children who can easily slip away unnoticed.
“Drowning incidents can be silent killers, we advise the community to be extra vigilant and to keep a watchful eye on children and potentially dangerous water hazards,” advised Dollman.
He said that preventing access to these and other hazards with approved nets or fences, is recommended. Children should only swim when supervised by an adult.
“Be fully prepared for the holiday season. First aid and CPR are skills that can easily be learnt. Contact your nearest accredited training facility for more details on these basic skills which could help you to save a life.”
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