Dr Miles Bartlett, a paediatric intensivist renowned for his treatment of child near-drownings spoke to Azania Mosaka about the devastating  consequences drowning has on children. Near-drowning occurs when you’re unable to breathe under water for a significant period of time. During near-drowning, oxygen intake decreases and major body systems shut down from the lack of oxygen flow. In some cases (particularly in young children), this can happen in a matter of seconds. The process typically takes longer in adults. Drowning remains one of the top causes of unnatural childhood death in South Africa. According to recent statistics released by private hospital group Netcare, nearly 72% of near-drownings occur around the home and only 1.22% at the beach. Three-year-old children seem particularly vulnerable and constitute 45.45% of the total.

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