Living on an island makes water activities a popular pastime for many, creating opportunities for water accidents. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), drowning is the fifth leading cause of accidental injury death and approximately ten people die from accidental drowning in the United States every day. Those who survive a drowning injury are at times left with severe brain damage.

U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Safety Manager James Graham, revealed from fiscal year 2014 through 2018, the Navy lost eight Sailors in water-related mishaps.

“Water related accidents do not discriminate,” Graham said. “Junior enlisted, senior enlisted, warrant officers, and senior officers all succumb to the dangers of being around the water.”

The inability to swim is a major factor in drowning, making it that more important to learn to swim. Another factor is lack of supervision, therefore a person should always use the buddy system and never swim alone.

As many as 70 percent of water recreation deaths are attributed to alcohol consumption, steering experts to strongly discourage any drinking in or around the water. Before venturing into the ocean, one should understand and obey colored beach flags and watch for waves or signs of rip currents. If ever caught in a rip current, swimming parallel to the shore until free and then diagonally toward the shore is the suggested strategy according to the CDC.

Learning CPR is also an important tool in any situation, to include enjoying water activities. In the event of an emergency, the ability to perform CPR until paramedics arrive could be the difference between life and death.

Graham said whether snorkeling, kayaking, or any other water activity is a personal favorite, following these tips can help ensure enjoying a favorite water activity does not lead to a trip to the hospital.

U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay embraces providing world-class care by maintaining a reputation for sustaining one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any military treatment facility in the Navy. The patient population of approximately 6,000 includes military family members, government civilian employees and their families, special category residents, contractors, foreign nationals, and migrants.

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