Change the tide of wave of water-related injuries

By James S. Eakins, M.D., Medical Director, Trauma

AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center

You’re tired of surfing through emails from your home office and stoked about diving into the pool.

You’re amped about taking a beach break because the lull in most social activities has kept your backside on the couch.

You’re waiting with bated breath to reel in some fishing time.

I get it. Summer’s swell water activities can be the perfect cure lure for too much time at home alone or with your cast of loved ones.

But bailing on safety as you enjoy your favorite body of water can put you flat on your back – or even wipe out your life.

Every summer our trauma team cares for people of all ages for critical and fatal injuries that could have been prevented.

This year we’ve seen an early increase in the number of water-related injuries.

These have included a broken neck, at least four cases of paralysis, and multiple drowning deaths.

Our Emergency Department colleagues have also treated patients for cuts, broken bones, dislocated joints and more.

What is always concerning to us and devastating for patients and families is that most of these injuries are preventable.

Body surfing, traditional surfing, using personal watercrafts, and diving into swimming pools are among the activities that have led to our most critical injuries.

Some patients have slipped on rocky surfaces while fishing.

Patients and families often have common reactions.

They say they didn’t know how powerful water could be. Water can be a dangerous force.

Waves can cause crushing injuries to the body itself or through pushing or slamming a person onto the sand or other hard surface.

Parents sometimes respond with shock, anger and fear when they learn of their child’s injury.

Imagine you’re a parent and you get a call from a hospital saying your teenage daughter needs emergency surgery to repair a tear in her vagina.

You knew she was going to the beach with friends. You reminded her to heed the speed limit driving to meet them.

But you didn’t know she’d be speeding through the water on a personal watercraft.

The force of water these vehicles emit can slice through skin and other organs, causing life-changing harm and pain.

Only swim in or enter the ocean, lakes or pools if lifeguards are present and heed their warnings.

When participating in any activity around water, do so with a buddy.

Make sure a responsible adult supervises children in and around water.

Have blunt conversations with teens and young adults about avoiding risky behaviors.

I know simply getting kids to wear and reapply sunscreen is hard. Insist on knowing where they are, who they’re with, and what they plan to do.

Wear appropriate clothing and/or gear when participating in any water sport.

Know and follow all safety regulations for operating vehicles in the water.

Protect you head and spine at all times. Refrain from diving into any shallow water.

Avoid walking on jetties or other slippery areas.

Never mix alcohol or other substances that can impair judgement with swimming, boating, driving or other summer activities.

We want you to feel refreshed and renewed by the water and to enjoy all that the summer – and of course – New Jersey have to offer.

But do it safely so you can go back to walking the dog or however else you hang loose at home.