Open Water Safety Checklists: Pilot Project Results

Transcription

1 Open Water Safety Checklists: Pilot Project Results Fall 2011 Washington State Drowning Prevention Network Meeting Presented by: Safe Kids Kitsap, Safe Kids Snohomish County, Safe Kids Lower Columbia, Safe Kids Benton-Franklin, and Safe Kids Spokane Project Background Fall 2010: Open Water Safety Report Card and Community Open Water Recreation Safety Report Card were developed based on a review of existing public health, education, and environment report cards and report card toolkits. Report cards were reviewed by water recreation and injury prevention experts. Winter 2011: Seattle Children s Hospital and Washington State Department of Health provided 5 Safe Kids Coalitions in Washington State training on how to use the report cards. Spring 2011: 5 Safe Kids Coalitions in Washington State pilot tested the report cards. They assessed over 50 open water sites on lakes, rivers, inland salt water, and river lagoons. The assessment was then used to identify policies and programs to improve water safety and to work towards those changes. Fall 2011: The 5 Safe Kids Coalitions presented the pilot test results to the Washington State Drowning Prevention Network. Spring 2012: Report cards were revised based on pilot test feedback and feedback from water recreation and injury prevention experts. The report cards were renamed Open Water Safety Checklist and Community Water Recreation Safety Checklist. 1

2 Safe Kids Kitsap County Jenni Osborne, MPH, CHES Barbara Smithson, Safe Kids Kitsap Chairperson Background Kitsap County is surrounded by ocean and has several lakes and streams. The drowning death of a teen lead to public outcry of our lack of resources. Additional Life Jacket Loaner Boards have been installed. Report Card gave us an opportunity to review existing resources 2

3 Report Card Findings Most of our popular swimming areas are not designated No signs to state the name of the site or address No lifeguards at public open water sites 911 calls for swimming emergencies, the caller does not know exactly where they are We had many more LJLB s than we knew, mostly at marina s and boat launches Policy Changes Requested to Board of Health to require two signs at all swimming areas. 1. Address sign at entrance 2. Sign visible from swimming area: In case of emergency, call 911 You are at Amazing Swimming Area 123 Kitsap County Road, Silverdale 3

4 Lessons Learned Scott Lindquist, MD, MPH, Director Kitsap County Public Health Department stated Coalitions like Safe Kids Kitsap are the future of Public Health We still have a lot of work to do, but we have support from community leaders and coalition passion to make further improvements, not only regarding water safety, but all Safe Kids focus areas. Contact Jenni Osborne, MPH, CHES jenni@timosborne.com Barbara Smithson, SKK Chairperson Barbksmithson@gmail.com 4

5 Safe Kids Snohomish County Shawneri Guzman, Coalition Chair Kim Schroeder, Drowning Prevention Committee Chair Background Several bodies of water within our coalition area to include lakes, rivers, and salt water to name a few. Drownings and non-fatal drownings reported Many non-reported or reported anecdotally Put a life jacket loaner cabinet at one location (well received) Expanded to include additional cabinets & jackets at fire stations all supported by Safe Kids Snohomish County. Covered some lakes, but did not address rivers or the Sound. Cabinet maintenance and life jacket inventory proves to be an issue year after year. 5

6 Report Card Findings Partnered with multiple groups (Parks, Sheriff Dept, ) Surveyed 6 lakes & 4 beaches on Puget Sound (some twice) Time frame of the grant & bad weather made beaches not heavily populated at time of report card survey. Recurring theme in report cards was inadequate signage. Most signs were Don t do... instead of the positive messaging of safe practices. Lack of information in other languages. Signage was not consistent with messaging. Also recommended higher Ranger presence when possible. Realized there is a lot of work to do to make our beaches safer. Policy Changes We presented our findings to the Snohomish County Parks Advisory Board on July 12, This Board makes recommendations directly to the Snohomish County Council. The Parks Advisory Board voted unanimously to support the work of Safe Kids Snohomish County with regard to Open Water Drowning Prevention. Some of our policy change ideas include: Boating: Require an endorsement similar to that of a motorcycle Swim: Mandatory education of basic skills for ages K-5 (as part of a Physical Education Program) Rivers: Use of a flag system (similar to that of fire risk) at heavily used bodies of water. 6

7 Lessons Learned Signs should be updated regularly & be consistent across parks in the county [branding] Signage coupled with education & incentives provided by Parks Rangers or docents. Reports of families visiting lakes based on life jacket cabinet & availability. Life jacket availability appears to increase the usage. Supervision is still key. Contact Shawneri Guzman, Coalition Chair (425) Kim Schroeder, Drowning Prevention Chair (425)

8 Safe Kids Lower Columbia Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties Tracey McDaniel, Coordinator Bebe McFall, Chair Lauren Allen, Vice Chair Background Small community and coalition with many supporters. 9 drownings in 2009, including two toddlers. Water Safety Team formed in Two young males drown in

9 Report Card Findings 8 sites assessed in 4 different cities. No safe swimming sites, no designated swimming areas and no lifeguards. Very dangerous areas where many people swim and drown. Toutle River 9

10 Toutle River Policy Changes Work with property owners along the Toutle River to install a warning sign. Add a 3 rd life jacket loaner board at Willow Grove Park on the Columbia River. Spoke with State Representative Takko about changing laws to require everyone on a boat must wear lifejacket. 10

11 Kress Lake, Kalama Castle Rock Boat Launch 11

12 Lessons Learned Community members are willing to assist once educated and given tasks. Property owners were happy to have signs installed. Business owners and fire departments put water safety messages on reader boards. Even if life jacket are available and signs posted people are still willing to take a risk! Modrow Bridge, Kalama 12

13 Contact Tracey McDaniel Coordinator Bebe McFall Chair Lauren Allen Vice Chair PO Box 118 Kelso, WA Safe Kids Benton - Franklin Jerry Tyler Annie Goodwin 13

14 Background SKBF established in Lead organization is Benton Franklin Health District Water safety has been a focus area since inception Life jacket loan project started in locations in 2011 Water Watcher tag project English /Spanish Water safety education Background Benton and Franklin counties are at the convergence of 3 major rivers, the Yakima, Snake and Columbia. Extensive irrigation canal system Lakes and Ponds Columbia Irrigation district Kennewick Irrigation district 14

15 Report Card Findings Ten sites across both counties were evaluated Community Report Card focused on City of Richland Numerous parks and boat launches along the Columbia River Report Card Findings Successes Designated Swim areas roped off during season Participates in Life jacket loan program Promotion of water safety on web site City run swim lessons pool with lifeguard Monitors two life jacket loan locations at open water swim areas Signage City of Richland ordinances Challenges Many access points to open water Rivers and Canals Limited access to rescue equipment No lifeguards at designated swim areas Limited enforcement in No Swim Boat Dock area Signage vandalized 15

16 Policy Changes Presentation to Richland Parks and Recreation Board Increased awareness of safety and resources Identified needs Adequate signage Enforcement Discussed PDF policies in other cities Board Response Lessons Learned Agency liability concerns using report cards Time of year observations were made 16

17 Contact Jerry Tyler Annie Goodwin Safe Kids Spokane David Early 17

18 Background Spokane Safe Kids Partnerships Inland Northwest Drowning Prevention Coalition American Red Cross Water Safety Committee Local Activities Big 5 discount coupons for PFD s Open Water Report Card Report Card Findings Two Bathing Beaches Surveyed Liberty Lake Beach (County Parks) Lake Spokane Boat Launch/Beach (WA St. Parks) Adequate Signage No depth Markings at either site Nice Beach Areas No major safety issues 18

19 Policy Changes Recommendations Liberty Lake Depth Markings Phone number/address posted at beach Replace floating dock with elevated dock to remove blind spots Lake Spokane Better advertisement of Lifejacket Loaner Depth Markers Phone # and Address prominently displayed Lessons Learned The report card worked very well. Content adequately describes safety concerns 19

20 Additional Comments More site info would be helpful Beach square footage # Guard Stands Re-aligning the notes to the lower portion of each section and using an alphanumeric coding would allow for easier note taking. For More Information Visit the Policy Section at 20