Glossary
Layers of protection
Several drowning-prevention steps used together, such as barriers, supervision, swim skills, life jackets and CPR, so one gap isn't fatal.
Layers of protection means using several drowning-prevention steps at the same time, because no single one prevents every drowning. If one layer fails, such as a gate left open, the next can still save a life. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (opens in a new tab) names five layers and says each should be used together:
- Barriers and alarms: four-sided pool fences, self-latching gates, door alarms and locks.
- Supervision: a named Water Watcher, and touch supervision for young children.
- Water competency: swimming and safety skills.
- Life jackets: U.S. Coast Guard-approved and well fitted.
- Emergency preparation: CPR with rescue breaths, basic rescue skills and a phone ready to call 911.
The AAP (opens in a new tab) uses the same idea for toddlers: barriers cover the brief lapses in supervision that happen in every home, and close supervision matters most at swim time. See the pool safety checklist, the family water safety plan and the Layers of protection infographic.
What you can do today: look at your home or pool and find the one layer that is weakest, then fix that first.