Near drowning prompts call for caution
By Lenny Roberts

Editor's note. The child in this report died Thursday at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara. His obituary can be read on the obituray page.

The updated condition of a 2-year-old boy who fell into a family swimming pool late Thursday afternoon was not released by medical authorities, but the boy, Kevin Fillo, had been transported to Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbra hours after the incident.

The Sheriff's Communication Center in Ventura received a call from the mother of the boy at 5:48 p.m., indicating a possible drowning. The victim's mother, said Sheriff's Public Information Officer Eric Nishimoto, was administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation when deputies and paramedics arrived.
The child was transported to Ojai Valley Community Hospital where he was revived. He was listed in stable but guarded condition before being transferred to Santa Barbara.

Barry Fisher, administrator for the county's Emergency Medical Services Agency, said pool safety should be a priority.

"Drowning is a preventable accident. It just takes a second. We like to use the slogan 'Children Drown Without Sound,'" he said.

As the summer months approach, the EMS Agency is starting its second year drowning prevention campaign with a goal of reminding parents and caregivers of various safety tips to prevent this type of tragedy from occurring.

Last year, there was a decrease in drowning or near drowning of children in the county between the ages of zero to four, compared with a total of 7 incidents countywide in that age group the year before.

As part of last year's campaign, the agency mailed out postcards to all 25,886 pool owners located in the county. In the period 2001/2002, that same age group accounted for a total of two drowning or near drowning.

EMS reminds parents and caregivers of the following tips:

Maintain adult supervision
* Never leave children alone near the water.

* Don't rely on swim lessons or inflatable toys to protect your child.

* Designate a "Child Watcher" at all social gatherings.

Utilize Layers of Protection
* Enclose your pool with four-sided fencing, at least four feet high, with self-closing and self-latching gates.

* Install safety alarms and locks on all doors and windows leading to your pool area.

Learn CPR.
* Be sure everyone knows how to swim.

* Keep rescue equipment, a telephone and emergency phone numbers by your pool. Try not to use a cell phone if possible.

The Emergency Medical Services Agency will also provide free child-watcher kits, which consist of a laminated card that contains safety tips on one side, and the words "Designated Child Watcher" on the other. The card is worn by the designated child watcher as a reminder to stay by the pool.
Additional information may be found at vchca.org/ph/ems.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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