New Drowning Prevention Guidance

New Drowning Prevention Guidance

Author: Children's Hospital Colorado June 23, 2026 Duration: 29:03

For many families, water represents joy, summer afternoons, swimming lessons, beach vacations, backyard pools and time spent together. But in pediatrics, we also know that water can become dangerous in seconds, often quietly and without warning. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of preventable death in children, and recent updates from the American Academy of Pediatrics reinforce that prevention must be layered, proactive and tailored. In this episode, we explore how pediatricians can support drowning prevention, because some of the most important work in pediatrics happens long before an emergency occurs.  

We are joined by Jason Woods, MD. He specializes in emergency medicine at Children's Hospital Colorado and is the Associate Program Director of the Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He is also an associate professor.

Some highlights from this episode include:

  • The AAP guidelines and toolkit details about drowning prevention 
  • Why the definition of drowning has changed and why that matters 
  • How drowning prevention is layered
  • The role of the pediatrician in feeling confident to counsel families on this topic 

For more information on Children's Colorado, visit: childrenscolorado.org.  


For those dedicated to the health of children, Charting Pediatrics serves as a vital, ongoing conversation directly from the front lines of pediatric care. Produced by the multidisciplinary experts at Children's Hospital Colorado, this weekly podcast delves into the nuanced realities of modern medicine for young patients. Each episode moves beyond textbook summaries to explore the practical application of groundbreaking research, emerging innovations, and essential educational resources. The discussions are candid, often tackling the complex challenges that clinicians face daily, from evolving treatment protocols to systemic issues within the healthcare community. Now in its eighth season, the program has established itself as a trusted source for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and refine their practice. Listening to this podcast feels like gaining direct access to a roundtable of specialists, all focused on a single goal: empowering medical providers with the context and confidence needed to make the best decisions for their patients. The tone is collegial and insightful, transforming the latest evidence and clinical experience into actionable understanding. It’s where the science of pediatrics meets the art of its application, fostering a supportive dialogue for anyone committed to advancing child health.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Charting Pediatrics
Podcast Episodes
New Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis Guidelines [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:50
Atopic dermatitis may be common, but it can be anything but simple. For children and their families, sleepless nights from persistent itch and discomfort from recurrent flares can take a real toll, and the treatment land…
Is It Really Asthma? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:40
Wheezing, cough and increased work of breathing are common pediatric presentations that can quickly lead clinicians to consider asthma. But not every child with lower -airway symptoms has asthma. Viral illness, tracheoma…
Building Systems for Better Pediatric Primary Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:24
Fifteen minutes. That's about all the time most pediatricians have to care for an entire child and family. In that brief visit, they are expected to address preventive care, developmental concerns, chronic conditions, be…
Iron Deficiency Anemia in Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:25
Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in children and adolescents, but it can sometimes be easy to miss. From the toddler who drinks almost exclusively milk to the adolescent athlete s…
Tics and Tourette Syndrome in Children [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:00
Tics are common in childhood, but recognizing when they are part of typical development, and when they may indicate Tourette syndrome or another tic disorder, can be challenging for pediatricians. A child repeatedly blin…
The Health Benefits of Recess for Kids [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:59
When adults look back on school, they often remember more than lessons and worksheets. They remember recess — the playground, movement, friendships, laughter and freedom. Yet in many schools today, recess can be one of t…
Childhood Leukemia in Primary Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:17
Some of the most serious diagnoses in pediatrics begin with common pediatric symptoms. A child comes in looking pale or with a febrile illness. They've been more tired than usual. Maybe they're bruising easily or complai…
Pediatric Tick Bite Management [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:59
Tick bites used to be a seasonal nuisance, something you might mention briefly at a well visit in late spring. But that's no longer the reality. With emergency department visits for tick bites climbing to their highest l…
Evaluating Precocious Puberty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:49
Puberty doesn't always follow the expected timeline. What happens when it shows up ahead of schedule? For pediatricians, the early appearance of breast development, pubic hair or accelerated growth can trigger a cascade…
First 1,000 Days of Brain Building [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:21
A child's future begins long before the first words, first steps or even the first smile. In the span of just 1,000 days, billions of neural connections are formed, and the foundation for lifelong health, learning, and r…