Preventing Drowning Among Young Children in Central Florida Flashcards

Project Overview and Abstract

  • Project Title: Preventing Drowning Among Young Children in Central Florida: A Community-Based Water Safety Proposal.
  • Authors: Jahn LaPrade, Kristine Montgomery, Mei-lyng Morales, Valerie Cotrina.
  • Affiliation: Seminole State College, HSC 4922: Capstone Project in Health Sciences 41431.
  • Instructor: Shelly Deans, MPH.
  • Date: July 19, 2026.
  • Problem Statement: Drowning is a leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 11 to 44 in Florida. Orange County is at particularly high risk due to the density of residential pools, natural water bodies, and a perpetual warm climate.
  • Project Focus: Analysis of risk factors including inadequate adult supervision, unrestricted access to water, limited swimming ability, caregiver education gaps, and financial barriers to physical safety resources.
  • Primary Solution: A proposed community-based intervention called the Central Florida Pool Barrier Assistance Program (CFPBAP), designed to increase access to four-sided pool fencing for low-income families and those with children at high risk (e.g., children with autism).

National and State Perspectives on Pediatric Drowning

  • National Statistics (CDC 2025):
    • Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between 11 and 44 years of age in the United States.
    • Most incidents occur in residential swimming pools during brief lapses in adult supervision.
    • Survival of drowning often results in permanent neurological injury due to prolonged oxygen deprivation, necessitating long-term rehabilitation and impacting long-term quality of life.
  • The Florida Perspective:
    • Florida experiences a disproportionate share of national drowning deaths due to environmental factors: year-round warm climate, extensive coastline, and thousands of residential pools and canals.
    • The Florida Department of Health identifies drowning as the primary cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 11 through 44 within the state.
    • Common scenarios involve family gatherings or social events where adults mistakenly assume another caregiver is supervising the child.
  • The Central Florida Perspective:
    • Region focuses: Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties.
    • Key Environmental Hazards: Thousands of residential and apartment complex pools, retention ponds, lakes, and short-term vacation rental properties.
    • Tourism Impact: Millions of annual visitors stay in vacation homes with unfamiliar private pools and water features.
    • Statistical Insight (Leone et al., 2023): Approximately 77%77\% of pediatric drowning incidents in Central Florida occurred in swimming pools, with children younger than 55 years old at the highest risk.

Factors Contributing to Pediatric Drowning

  • Inadequate Adult Supervision:
    • Drowning is often silent and occurs within seconds; young children rarely splash or call for help.
    • Brief distractions (answering a phone, preparing food, talking to other adults) are sufficient for a tragedy to occur.
    • The "Water Watcher" Concept: Prevention organizations recommend designating one adult whose sole responsibility is active, undistracted supervision around water.
  • Residential Pool Access:
    • Backyard pools are the greatest hazard for children ages 11 to 44.
    • Young children exhibit natural curiosity and may exit a home through an unlocked door or gate without recognizing the danger.
  • Biological and Developmental factors:
    • Toddlers have limited judgment and lack the ability to rescue themselves if they fall into the water.
  • Socioeconomic Barriers:
    • Installation of compliant pool barriers can cost thousands of dollars, making them unattainable for low-income households despite high-risk exposure.
    • Disparities exist in access to swimming lessons, CPR training, and transportation to safety resources.
  • Vulnerable Populations (Autism and Developmental Disabilities):
    • Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have a significantly increased drowning risk due to behaviors like wandering, elopement, impulsivity, and a natural attraction to water.
    • These families require enhanced measures: higher gate latches, specialized locks, and wearable identification devices.

Literature Review: Drowning Prevention Strategies

  • Layers of Protection (AAP Recommendations):
    • Active adult supervision.
    • Swimming instruction.
    • CPR training for caregivers.
    • Secure physical barriers.
  • Four-Sided Isolation Fencing:
    • The most effective environmental intervention.
    • Differentiates from perimeter fencing: isolation fencing strictly separates the pool from the house and yard.
    • Must feature self-closing, self-latching gates.
  • Swimming Lessons:
    • Improve comfort and basic survival skills (floating, kicking, safe entry/exit).
    • Not a substitute for barriers or supervision; children who have completed lessons can still drown due to panic or fatigue.
  • International Perspectives:
    • Countries like Iceland and Germany integrate swimming instruction into the national public school system, treating it as a public health investment rather than an extracurricular activity.

Local Case Analysis (Central Florida)

  • June 2025 Incident: A 33-year-old child drowned in an Orange County resort retention pond after wandering away from family members.
  • December 2025 Incident: A toddler drowned in a hot tub at a vacation rental home. The child became separated from adults in an unfamiliar setting for a short period.
  • April 2026 Incident: A young child drowned in a resort swimming pool after briefly wandering away from caregivers.
  • Common Themes: All children were younger than 55; all incidents involved brief supervision lapses and immediate access to water; none involved evidence of prolonged neglect.

Legislative Framework and Policies

  • Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Chapter 515):
    • Requires newly constructed residential pools to feature at least one approved safety feature: four-sided barrier, self-closing/self-latching gate, approved safety cover, or exit alarms on doors/windows.
    • Enforcement: Orange County Building and Code Enforcement Divisions oversee permits for new construction, but older homes may lack these features.
  • Florida Senate Bill 428 (Chapter 2026-38):
    • Effective Date: July 1, 2026.
    • Swimming Lesson Voucher Program: Expanded eligibility to children between the ages of 11 and 77.
    • Educational Requirements: Hospitals, birthing centers, and home birth providers must give standardized drowning-prevention materials to parents following childbirth.

Proposed Intervention: Central Florida Pool Barrier Assistance Program (CFPBAP)

  • Program Name: Safe Pools Central Florida (SPCF).
  • Target Counties: Orange, Osceola, and Seminole.
  • Core Goals:
    • Increase the number of homes with compliant four-sided barriers.
    • Reduce financial barriers for low-to-moderate-income families.
    • Improve caregiver awareness and connect families to CPR/Swimming voucher resources.
  • Target Population Eligibility:
    • Families with children ages 11 to 44.
    • Households with residential swimming pools.
    • Low-income status or referral due to high risk (e.g., children with ASD).
  • Service Offerings:
    1. Barrier Assistance: Financial aid for isolation fencing at least 4 ft4\,ft high with self-closing/latching gates.
    2. Safety Devices: Alarms (door, gate, or pool) and approved safety covers.
    3. Referrals: Connections to the YMCA of Central Florida, Orange County Fire Rescue, and Florida Swimming Lesson Voucher Program.

Financial Planning and Annual Budget

  • Total Estimated Annual Budget: $150,000\$150,000.
  • Budget Breakdown:
    • Program Coordinator: $50,000\$50,000.
    • Pool Barrier Assistance Grants: $50,000\$50,000.
    • Educational Materials and Outreach: $15,000\$15,000.
    • Community Workshops and CPR Promotion: $10,000\$10,000.
    • Administrative Costs: $10,000\$10,000.
    • Program Evaluation: $15,000\$15,000.
  • Subsidy Structure:
    • Average subsidy of $2,500\$2,500 per household.
    • Estimated coverage: 2020 households in Year 11.
    • Market cost of mesh barriers: range of $1,200\$1,200 to $2,800\$2,800 for smaller projects; $3,500\$3,500 to $6,500\$6,500 for larger projects.

Implementation and Evaluation Plan

  • Phase 1: Planning (Months 1–3): Finalize policies, eligibility, and license contractor agreements.
  • Phase 2: Pilot Program (Months 4–6): Launch in selected Orange County communities with high risk; initial home safety assessments.
  • Phase 3: Program Expansion (Months 7–12): Expand to Osceola and Seminole counties as funding permits.
  • Phase 4: Evaluation and Sustainability (End of Year 1): Review spending, installations, and caregiver feedback.
  • Performance Measures:
    • Process: Number of applications, assessments, and barriers installed; average cost per household.
    • Outcome: Increase in compliant barriers; improved caregiver knowledge; long-term reduction in residential drowning incidents.

Recommendations for Practice and Conclusion

  • Recommendations:
    • Establish SPCF as a permanent program in Orange and Osceola counties.
    • Integrate water safety education into all postpartum and pediatric medical visits.
    • Increase outreach for the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program, as demand currenty exceeds supply.
    • Local governments should offer free/low-cost CPR classes specifically including rescue breathing.
  • Final Conclusion: Preventing pediatric drowning requires a multi-layered, coordinated community approach. Safe Pools Central Florida aims to bridge the gap between education and environment by making physical pool barriers financially accessible, ensuring that even during a lapse in supervision, a child remains physically separated from the hazard of water.