Education and awareness underlie the best ways to prevent drowning, says Education and awareness underlie the best ways to prevent drowning, says Robert Newmyer, MD Robert Newmyer, MD, a pediatric critical care physician at Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Learning the basics of swimming and water safety is most important, and learning CPR too, if possible, explains Newmyer, who is a former lifeguard and swimming instructor. Other points he discusses include checking for potential hazards in a swimming area, the buddy system, the limits of lifeguards, the concept of “dry drowning” and how children perceive risk., a pediatric critical care physician at Upstate Golisano Children‘s Hospital. Learning the basics of swimming and water safety is most important, and learning CPR too, if possible, explains Newmyer, who is a former lifeguard and swimming instructor. Other points he discusses include checking for potential hazards in a swimming area, the buddy system, the limits of lifeguards, the concept of “dry drowning” and how children perceive risk.