Children drown quietly... 20:07 on August 3

The long rainy season is finally over, and we are looking forward to the sea and pool as we approach the summer. However, it is also during this period that the number of tragic water accidents that kill small children increases.
When a child drowns, isn't there an image of a loud noise struggling and screaming "Help me!"?
One post that has been waiting for our assumptions has become a hot topic on Twitter.
It is also pointed out that the risk of a water accident is increasing in this coronal disaster. What exactly does that mean?
(Network news department reporter Shinsuke Ayuai / Naoya Saito)

Beliefs Delay Rescue

Children are quiet while drowning.
help! It does not mean that.

This is Dr. Masahiko Sakamoto, one of the members of the project team called "Tell me! Doctor" created by the Nagano Prefecture Saku Medical Association.

Three years ago, when I saw a blog of an overseas doctor who explained that children drown quietly, I began to call attention.

Dr. Sakamoto:
“Children who are brought to the hospital due to a water accident often have severe illness or sequelae, and I was interested in how to prevent the accident. At that time, I saw the blogs of doctors overseas. I would like everyone to know this widely.I think that when a child drowns, there is an image of making a rustling sound or calling out for help, but that is not the case. If you do, you may notice it later.''

In fact, when I called my attention on Twitter, there were nearly 500 responses such as "I have the same experience".
In order to investigate the actual situation, Dr. Sakamoto, in cooperation with other doctors, conducted a questionnaire survey for more than 2000 parents of nursery school children in the Saku area of ​​Nagano Prefecture (Saku City and 6 Minamisaku 6 towns and villages).
Then, among the 821 parents who answered that the child had drowned, 84.5% answered "I did not make a voice" to the question "I was screaming or calling for help". It was

In addition, 58.1% of the respondents asked if they heard any sound, "no sound was heard," and only 31.8% answered "had a buzzing noise."

Why do you drown quietly?

So why do children drown without making noise?
According to Dr. Sakamoto, the cause has not been clarified.

Dr. Sakamoto:
Infants often do not struggle themselves when drowning, and they often sank silently, but there is no clear data as to why this is so. One of the possible reasons is that it is still small. , You may not know that you are drowning."

The questionnaire also asks how old they are when they are about to drown.
The highest number was 1 year old, followed by 2 years old, and 16.7 years old made up 86.7%.

Although the mechanism by which children “drown quietly” has not been clarified, many people have shown that younger children are more at risk.

This is an "abnormal summer"

Furthermore, some experts point out that the risk of a water accident is increasing due to the effect of the new coronavirus.

"This year, there have been many water accidents involving children since around May. This has never been seen before. It's an abnormal situation."

That's what Professor Hidetoshi Saito of Nagaoka University of Technology, who is doing research on prevention and verification of water accidents, says.
According to a report reported by Professor Saito, the number of children below junior high school students who died in the accident of water this time was only confirmed on the 2nd of this month, and it was 15 and already half of the last year (30). Has reached
Every year, the time of Obon, where water accidents increase, is just around the corner. It is feared that the death toll will greatly exceed last year if the current pace continues.
Regarding the background of frequent accidents, Professor Saito was affected by the fact that the new coronavirus has increased the time for children to be free due to decentralized school attendance and the closing of schools and public pools. Point out.

Professor Saito
"The pool where you can play in a safe environment has been closed, and children are going to seas and rivers in search of a place to play in the water, and there are many cases of accidents. However, the risk of being involved in an accident is further increased by not being accustomed to water or learning the dangers.

How to protect yourself

So how can you protect yourself from a water accident?
Professor Saito says that the first principle is that parents should keep an eye on them.

Professor Saito
"Parents keep an eye on their children when they play in the sea or river or in a plastic pool at home. Feel free to play around with your smartphone or drink while you are within the reach of your eyes. If you fall asleep, you don't even notice that you are drowning. You can prevent an accident by playing with your child closely.”

There is also a site like this where you can learn about the dangers of water accidents.

"E-Lifesaving", a special site that was first opened by the Japan Lifesaving Association, which works to prevent water accidents nationwide.
Regarding how to protect yourself from water accidents, the illustrations introduce check items such as physical condition management and preparation exercises necessary before entering the pool or the sea, and videos show how to wear a life jacket correctly and lie on your back in the water It introduces how to float and wait for rescue.

Japan Life Saving Association Secretariat
"On the special site, you can learn with quizzes and worksheets, and anyone can see it. Before going to the waterfront, be sure to learn how to protect yourself from water accidents and prepare. I want you to take thorough measures."

Even though there are only a few places to visit in this coronal wreck, you may go out to the sea or river with your children during summer vacation.
In such a case, I would like you to be careful not only to prevent infection but also to prevent water accidents.