Dr. ASM. Mahamuduzzaman

Every year, more than 14,000 children die from drowning in Bangladesh, making it one of the leading causes of child mortality in the country. Experts warn that drowning claims more young lives than pneumonia, malnutrition, or cholera. In a riverine nation dotted with ponds, canals, and lakes, these open and unprotected water bodies often become silent killers for curious little ones.

Children between one and four years old are most vulnerable. After learning to walk, toddlers often wander off to nearby ponds or ditches without adult supervision. Their natural curiosity draws them toward water, but just a moment of inattention can turn fatal. Studies show that most drowning incidents occur in the morning or afternoon, when parents or caregivers are busy with household chores. Without immediate rescue and first aid, a child who falls into water quickly loses oxygen as the respiratory tract fills with water — leading to death within minutes.

🚸 Major Causes

• Lack of parental awareness about drowning risks
• Absence of swimming skills among children
• Unprotected water bodies near homes and playgrounds
• Ignorance of first aid techniques after drowning

🛡️ Prevention Is Possible

Drowning is entirely preventable with simple and practical measures. Experts recommend that parents and communities remain vigilant, especially during the early years of a child’s life.

• Always supervise children aged one to four — never leave them alone near water, even for a few minutes.
• Restrict access to ponds, ditches, and pools by installing fences or barriers.
• Cover water-filled containers such as buckets, drums, or bathtubs when not in use.
• Start teaching swimming and water safety once a child reaches five years old.
• Encourage community-based crèches or playgroups, especially in rural areas, to ensure constant supervision during working hours.

⚠️ What Not to Do

In many rural areas, harmful traditional practices are still followed after a drowning incident. These can waste precious time and worsen the situation.

❌ Do not turn the child upside down.
❌ Do not press the stomach to force out water.
❌ Do not apply ash, salt, or herbal pastes to the body.
❌ Do not try to induce vomiting.

🚑 What to Do Immediately

If a child is found unconscious after drowning:
• Rescue quickly and lay the child on a flat surface.
• Check for breathing — if absent, start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
• Keep the body warm and rush to the nearest hospital without delay.
• Continue CPR if trained, until professional help arrives.

🔔 A Shared Responsibility

Preventing child drowning requires the combined effort of families, communities, and the government. Public awareness campaigns, swimming lessons in schools, and the fencing of water bodies in rural areas can save thousands of young lives each year. Every child deserves a safe and happy childhood. With vigilance, education, and cooperation, drowning deaths can be reduced — and prevented altogether.

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MD (Pediatrics), DCH (Child Health)
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College, Dhaka-1207
Healthcare Diagnostic Center Ltd.
Shyamoli, Mirpur Road, Dhaka-1207