OLYMPIA — As people head to local beaches, lakes and rivers to enjoy the warm spring weather, the state Department of Health is urging parents to talk to their kids about water safety.
In late spring, water is extremely cold and mountain snowmelt creates fast-moving, debris-filled rivers and streams that increase the hazards for rafting, kayaking and swimming, health officials said.
Drowning among teens and young adults often happen when they misjudge distance, current or temperature of the water. When fatigue or hypothermia set in, it takes only a few minutes before a person goes underwater. Once under, swimmers can lose consciousness in about two minutes and suffer permanent brain damage after only four minutes, according to health officials.
