Earlier this month, a 2-year-old child fell down a set of steps, into the water at Lake Travis and drowned. First responders attempted to revive the toddler and even used advanced life support measures for approximately an hour, but the toddler died.
This tragedy is exactly what Colin’s Hope, an Austin organization focused on water safety and drowning-prevention, is trying to stop. Colin’s Hope was formed in 2008 when a four-year-old lost his life in a fatal drowning accident in a public pool with life guards.
Colin’s Hope Works to Spread Awareness on Child Safety in Water
Drowning ranks as the sixth leading cause of death from unintentional injuries in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are an average of 10 drownings each day. Unfortunately, drowning is also the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 14 years old.
Colin’s Hope manages the lifejacket loner stations at Lake Travis and helps to teach water safety. According to the executive director of the organization, families near water should always put someone on water duty. Just because children are in a crowded area, like a pool or a beach, does not guarantee someone will notice if a child disappears or has an accident. Colin’s Hope also encourages adults to create “layers” of protection around water, so if one safety method fails, another is in place. Additionally, parents should first check the water in the unfortunate event a child goes missing. Parents should also learn CPR and know how to swim.
Although this organization was created in the face of tragedy, it is a great addition to the existing groups that promote safety for children. Hopefully, this group will continue to spread awareness and decrease the number of child drowning accidents in Austin.
Aaron Allison is an Austin personal injury lawyer who fights for victims of drowning accidents and their families.
