Honolulu EMS warns of alarming spike in near drownings involving keiki

News admin May 21, 2026 0 Comments

Honolulu EMS warns of alarming spike in near drownings involving keiki

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu EMS is asking the community to be vigilant around the water, especially when it comes to keiki.

First responders have seen an alarming rise in non-fatal pediatric drowning calls, and they are using National EMS Week to shed light on a recent spike.

EMS leaders held a press conference with officials from the state health department and the Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, Wednesday morning, to address the issue.

Since the start of 2026, Honolulu EMS has already responded to 12 non-fatal drowning calls for children, nearly double the amount at the same time last year.

“Nine of these were in swimming pools, one was in a hot tub, and two were in the ocean,” said Honolulu Emergency Services Department Director Jim Ireland. “And really just one of these is too many. These are one of the most traumatic and difficult calls for people, paramedics, EMTs, and EMS to go through.”

A nonfatal pediatric drowning is defined as a child surviving after being submerged underwater for too long, often requiring emergency medical treatment to restore breathing.

“These are preventable emergencies, where a child is left unsupervised in or near a body of water,” Ireland said.

As families head into summer, EMS wants everyone to enjoy Hawaii’s waters safely.

“Always be within arms reach of weak swimmers around water, and put the phone away. Your attention will keep them alive and if a small child goes missing, make sure to check the water first,” said Sarah Fairchild, co-founder of the Hawaii Water Safety Coalition.

Water safety experts recommend taking the following precautions to help keep keiki safe around water and avoid a drowning incident.

Call 911 immediately if a child gets into trouble in the water. An EMS dispatcher can provide instructions while waiting for paramedics and EMTs to arrive.

“Every drowning death is a tragedy, and many of these losses can be prevented through simple, common-sense safety measures,” said Amanda Allison, Public Health Educator for drowning prevention for the Hawaii State Department of Health.

“Constant and close supervision, learning basic swimming and water safety skills, using layers of protection such as pool barriers and life jackets, and never swimming alone can make the difference,” said Amanda Allison, Public Health Educator for drowning prevention for the Hawaii State Department of Health. “A few moments of preparation and attention will save lives.”