For many, getting a CPR certificate is unnecessary since drowning is not
that common especially in places where man-made and natural bodies of water are not really that popular. What they do not realize is that drowning can actually be a common problem even in these areas. Here are some of the statistics about the prevalence of drowning that highlight the importance of securing a CPR certificate.
How deadly is drowning?
According to the World Health Organization, more than 7% of deaths that were caused by or that are related to unintentional injuries are due to drowning and that drowning is also the third most prevalent cause of injury-related death. They also estimate the drowning is responsible for claiming the lives of more than 350, 000 people who are living in other countries each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have also reported that between 2005 to 2009, more than 3,500 people died each year due to drowning. This means that between these periods, more than people died each day due to drowning. Every spring break season, several news outlets are also plagued with drowning-related incidents, mostly about undergraduates or fresh graduates whose lives have been cut short by this type of unintentional accident.
Who are at risk?
Aside from college graduates and undergraduates, boaters and fishermen are also at risk for drowning regardless of their experience. According to the CDC, 43% of all drowning incidents that happened between 2005 to 2009 occurred in bodies of water that were commonly used for recreational purposes such as fishing and that 9% of these incidents were directly related to boating. This means that drowning is more common for people who are exposed to bodies of water that are used for recreational purposes than those who are exposed to or who have come in contact with swimming pools.
Why do you need a CPR certificate?
Before you can acquire a CPR certificate, you need to sign up for a CPR class and pass the necessary tests which gauges your ability to administer CPR safely and properly. By having this certificate, you can administer CPR to drowning victims whenever necessary without having to worry about endangering their lives. You will not need to wait for the life guard in order to save a family or a friend who has been a victim of drowning. Owning a CPR certificate can also open new career paths for you in the life-guarding area.
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