Pool safety a critical issue
PARAMEDICS want to remind everyone to take pool safety seriously these holidays.
In the wake of a recent tragic toddler drowning in Victoria and a near-drowning in Sydney, people are urged to pay special attention this summer.
Warwick paramedic Joanna Lindsay said supervision was key.
"Keep watch of your kids, know where they are at all times and always make sure there is appropriate fencing around your pool," Mrs Lindsay said.
"I know some kids who have used items to build a step so they can reach the latch (on pool fence) so make sure they can't do that," she said.
In the case of an emergency, Mrs Lindsay advised calling triple-0 straight away.
"If, in the unfortunate event you find a child in a pool, call triple-0 and they will give you first aid instructions over the phone on how to resuscitate a child," she said.
"The best thing to do is pop them on their side, so if they do vomit they don't choke and are in the best position if they are to come back to consciousness."
Queensland Ambulance Service staff cannot not stress enough the importance of calling an ambulance in a drowning situation, even if the child seems to have regained consciousness and is breathing.
"What people don't realise is that you can still inhale a very small amount of water into your lungs (and still breathe).
"It can cause an infection so it can be life-threatening if not attended to by a hospital," Mrs Lindsay said.
