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Diving Accidents Common Among U.S. Kids
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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 Among the things that can be done include educating divers about jumping into shallow or murky water and having visible depth indicators around the pool. In addition, there needs to be more education and training on proper diving technique, McKenzie said.
"Having a lifeguard or other supervision present is really important," McKenzie added.
Dr. Judy Schaechter, director of Injury Free Coalition for Kids at Miami University Miller School of Medicine, provided new data about the extent and types of diving accidents.
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"What is most interesting to me as a pediatrician with a mind for prevention is what may also be among the most predictable findings of the study, that diving injury peaks substantially during the summer months and that boys are far more likely to be injured than girls," Schaechter said. "The summer month exposure will surprise no one. Males are more affected by nearly all types of injury, particularly unintentional injury."
Parents should be aware that while from summer to summer their children are getting bigger and bolder, they are not necessarily getting better at diving or water sports in general, Schaechter said.
"We tend to teach children well to stay in the shallow end when they are small," Schaechter said. "We do less of a good job teaching about the risks of diving, or marking dive-safe zones as they grow."
More information
For more on child safety, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
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Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
Last updated 8/4/2008
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SOURCES: Lara McKenzie, Ph.D., assistant professor, Ohio State University Medical School, Columbus; Judy Schaechter, M.D., associate professor, pediatrics, and director, Injury Free Coalition for Kids-Miami, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; August 2008, Pediatrics
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