Supervision is the key to preventing child drowning accidents, according to the medical director of an Ohio children's emergency department. Most children drown as a result of inadequate supervision according to Dr. Thomas Krzmarzick. Krzmarzick is not just addressing adult supervision. He often sees cases where an older child forgets to close or lock a pool gate. As such, one of the older child's younger siblings accesses the pool area, often resulting in tragedy. He suggests installing fences and alarm activated gates that sound if someone tries to open them.

Krzmarzick also notes that colorful toys are often left in the pool. Such oversight is an open invitation for trouble, as young children are naturally drawn to such toys.

Children and adults rarely survive drowning accidents. If they do, they are often saddled with lifelong brain damage. It is important that people who are trained in performing life saving techniques, such as CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, do so while waiting for paramedics to arrive. By the time emergency workers arrive, it is often too late.