In the United States, drowning is the second leading case of unintentional death for persons ages 5- 44. (Source: Injury Fact Book)

In Hawaii, drowning is the second leading cause of fatal unintentional injuries among 0-17 year-olds. (Source: State Department of Health)

In Hawaii, at least 35 residents drown each year, according to the State Department of Health and County Medical Examiners' Office. Six (6) deaths each year are children 0-17 years old.

Swimming is a skill that must be taught. Although some learn more quickly than others, aquatic skills are not genetically inherited.

Swimming pools. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year emergency departments report about 500 drownings and 3,000 near-drownings in residential swimming pools among children younger than 5 years old.

In Hawaii, about one-third of the drownings (10) occurred in swimming pools. Another third of victims (11) drowned in the ocean. There were 4 drownings in rivers.

Learn to swim.

Never swim alone or in unsupervised places.

Check the water depth before entering. The American Red Cross recommends 9 feet as a minimum depth for diving or jumping.

Know the local weather conditions and forecast before swimming or boating.

Use Coast Guard-approved personal flotation devices (life jackets) when boating, regardless of distance to be traveled, size of boat, or swimming ability of boaters.

Never drink alcohol during or immediately before boating or other water recreation.

To prevent choking, never chew gum or eat while swimming, diving, or playing in water.

Learn CPR. This applies particularly to pool owners and water sports enthusiasts.

Install telephones near residential pools.

Make sure an adult is constantly watching young children swimming or playing in water.

Do not read, play cards, talk on the phone, mow the lawn, or do any other distracting activity while watching children in a bathtub, in a pool of any size, or at the beach.

Teach children to swim only with a buddy.

Keep small children away from buckets containing liquid: 5-gallon industrial containers are particularly hazardous.

Empty buckets when household chores are done.

Install a four-sided, isolation pool-fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around swimming pools.

Prevent children from having direct access from the house or yard to a swimming pool.

Study the conditions before entering the ocean.

Observe the activities of others in the ocean (i.e. if everyone is on surfboards, swimming might not be the best activity at that beach).

Ask the lifeguards.

Know your limits in the water.

If in doubt, don't go out.

Swim in lifeguarded areas.

Never swim alone.

Don't dive into unknown water or into shallow breaking waves.

Check with lifeguard on beach and surf conditions before swimming.

If you are unable to swim out of a strong current, call or wave for help.

Rely on your swimming ability rather than floatation apparatus.

Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach.

Consumption of alcohol is not allowed on beaches.

Lifeguards can assist you with your emergency needs while at the beach.