Summer Fun

Don’t let a day on the lake land you in the ER

With so many fun things to do outdoors, it’s no surprise that summer is the busiest time of year at the Lake of the Ozarks. It’s also a busy time for Lake Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED).

“As the Lake-area population increases, so does traffic on both the roads and in the water,” says Amy Knoernschild, RN, BSN, trauma nurse coordinator at Lake Regional. “Plus, local residents are more active this time of year. That combination leads to more minor injuries, such as fractures, cuts and contusions, as well as more significant trauma-related injuries.”

According to Knoernschild, Lake Regional’s ED — a Level III Trauma Center — treated more than 7,300 patients in July and August 2010. Although the majority of these injuries were caused by falls, including slips on docks, about 2 percent were attributed to water-related activities, such as personal watercraft and boat-wake injuries.

To avoid a visit to the ED this summer, Knoernschild offers the following tips for playing it safe.

Educate your children on water safety, and practice it yourself.
“Talk with your children about potentially dangerous activities, such as cliff-jumping and reckless PWC use, before going out on the Lake,” she says. “Also, remember that your children are watching you, so be responsible when you’re on the water.”

Wear a life jacket, and make sure your children wear them.
“Life jackets save lives,” she says. “It’s especially important to wear one when riding in a smaller boat or while waterskiing. And, Missouri law requires that all children under seven years of age on board an unenclosed boat and anyone operating a PWC wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device.”

Be aware of your surroundings, especially on the water.
“Always watch out for other boats, PWCs or swimmers when you’re on the water,” she says. “Not paying attention can result in serious or even fatal injuries.”

Don’t drink and boat!
“Unfortunately, we see many patients with alcohol-related injuries this time of year,” she says. “If you drink, do so in moderation. Also, be responsible — designate a nondrinking driver or boat captain.”

Drink lots of water and use sunscreen.
“It’s easy to become dehydrated and sunburned on a hot summer day,” she says. “When you’re heading outdoors, be sure to pack plenty of water. Also, apply sunscreen before you go out, and reapply liberally and often.”

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