Debunking common drowning myths.

• Position: Your Life

While shallow water in pools or along coastlines seem harmless enough to let a child splash around in, you may be surprised to learn that most drownings occur in less than four feet of water. In fact, experts from the American Safety & Health Institute (ASHI), a first aid training and safety organization dedicated to designing and delivering programs in health, aquatic safety, and emergency medical care, warn that small children can drown in as little as one inch of water and in just 30 seconds.

"While knowing the techniques for rescuing a person who is either conscious or unconscious in water can mean the difference between life and death, it is just as important to prevent this type of accident by debunking some of the more-common water myths," argues Jill E. White, director of aquatic safety programs at ASHI. "In my professional career as an aquatic safety and swim instructor, I've seen so many mistakes made near the water by the public. These mistakes are perpetuated by misconceptions about water safety." Here are some of the most-common water myths:

* Good swimmers don't drown. Fact: People drown for many reasons, not only because they lack swimming skills. Many factors can contribute, such as a medical emergency, injury, hyperventilation that causes blackout, overexertion, hypothermia, cramps, etc. Some gifted swimmers have lost their lives in this manner. Good swimming skills are never a replacement for proper supervision.

* Children learn water skills best at a pool or at the beach. Fact: The development of safety awareness, water skills, and a sense of enjoyment of the water should begin at home in the bathtub. Children will then become ready, willing, and sale participants in swimming programs and water activities as they get older.

* The more adults present when children are swimming, the safer the environment. Fact: When you assume everyone is watching, usually no one is...