REMSA AND SAFE KIDS WASHOE COUNTY LAUNCH WATER SAFETY PROGRAM
Program Designates A Child Watcher Near Water and Provides Safety Tooll Kit

May 3, 2004 – As part of Safe Kids Week, REMSA (Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority) and SAFE KIDS Washoe County have launched a special water safety program called, “Water Watcher.” The goal of the program is to increase adult supervision of children ages 14 and younger around bodies of water and provide the designated adult in charge with accessible tools, including quick safety tips to follow when they spot a child in trouble in a pool, lake or other body of water.

According to the National SAFE KIDS campaign, drowning is the second leading cause of death of children in the United States, and children are more at risk of drowning during the summer months than any other time of the year. More than half of all drownings occur in a child’s home pool and one third at the homes of friends or relatives. It has also been found that nine out of 10 children drown in the presence of their parents or guardian. Knowledge is a powerful tool for combating child deaths and knowing specific steps to take to avoid danger may make a life-and-death difference for families.

“REMSA and the SAFE KIDS Washoe County are proud to once again launch the Water Watcher program in 2004 to proactively increase adult supervision of children around water,” said Eric Guevin, Director of SAFE KIDS Washoe County. “The designated child watcher wears a lanyard with a whistle and special safety tips card attached so others understand who is in charge.”

The purpose of the Water Watcher program is to provide the adult in charge with useful tools to notify others a child is in trouble. The tools include a whistle to create noise and capture other’s attention, and a card with four quick tips of what to do in case of a water emergency. The Water Watcher tips include:

1. Yell for help and get the child out of the water
2. Call 9-1-1 immediately for assistance
3. Begin CPR if you are trained
4. If you are not trained in CPR, follow the instructions from the REMSA dispatcher until paramedics arrive

REMSA and SAFE KIDS Washoe County encourage parents to help keep children safe by picking up a Water Watcher whistle and a safety card at one of the following locations:

• District Health Department WIC front desk –1001 East Ninth Street
• Saint Mary’s Health and Wellness – 745 West Moana Lane, Suite 100
• Washoe Health Resource Center front desk – Located on the first floor of Washoe Professional Center, 75 Pringle Way, adjacent to Washoe Medical Center
• Northern Nevada Medical Center emergency room – 2375 East Prater Way
• REMSA front desk – 450 Edison Way
• YMCA of Reno - 1300 Foster Dr.

REMSA is a private, not-for-profit emergency medical services system serving northern Nevada. REMSA’s state-of-the art 9-1-1 dispatch communications center is fully accredited, as are all emergency medical transport services of the company. REMSA provides quality patient care with no taxpayer support or other subsidies.

450 Edison Way Reno, Nevada 89502 (775)858-5700 Fax (775)858-5720