Dr Darria Long Gillespie

Dr Darria Long Gillespie ER Doc + Mom x3
Harvard & Yale MD/📖/📺
Prevent + prepare for life's little and big emergencies
(1)

07/27/2026

Kids 1-3 are at the highest risk, and 69% drown when they weren’t SUPPOSED to be in the water at that moment - and the “Shoulder period” is dangerous because it’s exactly when - you’re no longer vigilant about the water, but your child is NOT AWAY from the water. 

Vigilance is down - but risk is not. 

2 more tips to keep your children safe: 
    •    If your toddler DOES use a flotation device, then do NOT take it off until you’re literally AWAY from the water.
    •    Pack bags early - pack bags before kids get out, so packing doesn’t compete with watching. 
    •    Verbal handoff. Say it aloud - “I’m watching Maya” - never assume. 

Sources: 
    •    69% stat https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/143/5/e20190850/37134/Prevention-of-Drowning?autologincheck=redirected
    •    5 minutes - it’s actually from reference #21, here https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310648/

07/23/2026

Here are real, LEGIT accounts with fabulous information in the health space.

Please LMK if I left out others!

Pediatrics:
Dr. Tanya Altmann
Dr. Lauren Hughes, MD, IBCLC | Board-Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Mona | Pediatrician | Child Development✨Health✨Parenting
Pediatrician for Moms | Dr. Krupa Playforth
Zachary Rubin, MD
Tommy Martin, MD | MedPeds
Dr. Michael Milobsky

Peds Emergency Medicine:
Dr.Beachgem10
Maneesha Agarwal MD, FAAP

Emergency Medicine (all ages):
Kristen Panthagani, MD, PhD
Megan Peimer Ranney

Sleep/Neurology:
Sujay Kansagra, MD | Sleep Doc for Kids (and adults)
Dr. Shilpa, MD | Child Neurologist and Development Specialist

Feeding:
Feeding Littles - Baby-led Weaning and Picky Eating Help

General Science:
Dr. Jen Caudle

07/19/2026

PRO TIP: Immediately wash the wound VERY well as you’re calling animal control, to rinse out as much of the saliva (and germs it carries) in the first place. 

Have you ever had to possibly get rabies prophylaxis? What happened - and did you end up having to get it? What do others need to know about this? 

RESOURCES:
(1) Animal Control: this is county-specific, so search to find out the right # # for your county. They’ll advise you about what to do about the animal. 
(2) Poison Control - the national number to get to your local state poison control center is 1-800-222-1222. You can also go to http://webpoisoncontrol.org/

07/16/2026

2 breaths or 5? Here’s what I want parents to do 👇
Ty to everyone who sent me this video! Drowning is different from a heart attack — it’s a lack-of-oxygen problem first, then the heart stops. That’s why AHA and Red Cross teach breaths FIRST: 2 breaths, 30 compressions. 2 and 30, repeat.
We don’t have concrete data that 5 breaths is *superior* to 2. Some pro programs (Navy, lifeguards) teach 5 because they drill it constantly and they’re professionals here. For parents, the real danger isn’t the number — it’s freezing while you try to remember “wait, is it 2 or 5?”
My ER rule:
If you’re a professional, and trained in these scenarios and can make lightning fast judgments based on exactly what you see, that’s great - follow your training. If I were the person doing a CPR, I *might* give extra breaths, but it would really depend on the scenario and I could make that judgment in real time because I can do CPR in my sleep, AND I know how to give effective breaths. That’s not most people, and that’s ok. If someone starts to freeze because they can’t remember the number, that wastes time. If someone also doesn’t know how to give really good effective breaths, then all giving more breaths achieves is a delay in compressions, which of themselves will bring some oxygen into the lungs.
SO - if you’re NOT a professional, and find even the basics of CPR tough to remember, don’t make this more complicated for yourself. Follow the AHA and Red Cross with 2 breaths, 30 compressions.
There’s so much more that I want to say and 90 seconds is never enough space to tell it. So I made a drowning prevention checklist full of the other guidance. I give my patience and their families. Comment BREATH and I’ll DM it to you.
Share this with one parent before swim weekend.
xx Dr Darria
for education only — please take a certified CPR class

07/16/2026

2 breaths or 5? This Navy dad isn’t wrong — but here’s what I want parents to do 👇

Y’all tagged me 400 times in his video. Drowning is different from a heart attack — it’s a lack-of-oxygen problem first, then the heart stops. That’s why AHA and Red Cross teach breaths FIRST: 2 breaths, 30 compressions. 2 and 30, repeat.

We don’t have data that 5 beats 2. Some pro programs (Navy, lifeguards) teach 5 because they drill it constantly. For parents, the real danger isn’t the number — it’s freezing while you try to remember “wait, is it 2 or 5?”

My ER rule: if 5 is automatic for you, follow your training. If you’re a parent, grandparent, babysitter and that question makes you pause — do 2 and 30. Don’t pause.

I made the Drowning Prevention Checklist and I gave it to my own kids’ grandparents. Comment BREATH and I’ll DM it to you.

Share this with one parent before swim weekend.
xx Dr Darria
for education only — please take a certified CPR class

07/14/2026

Ever wonder what an ER doctor is actually looking at while they’re “relaxing” at the beach? 🏖️ It’s not just the scenery—it’s the subtle signs that separate a fun day from an emergency room visit.

As an ER doctor and a mom, I’m constantly scanning for these “invisible” safety layers. Here is the checklist I use to keep my own family safe:

1. The “Water Scan” 🌊
* Visibility: Can you clearly see the bottom, or is the water opaque? Poor visibility increases risk, even in shallow water.
* Movement: Is the water truly still, or is there a hidden current? Calm-looking water can still move quickly underneath (watch for rip currents or strong tides).
* Surfaces: Is the ground smooth sand, or are there sharp rocks, shells, or coral that could cause deep cuts?

2. Spot the “Transition Traps” ⚠️
* The “Shoulder Moment”: This is when kids are leaving the water to eat or rest. Parents often mentally “switch off” their water vigilance here—but this is exactly when many injuries happen.
* Unexpected Access: Look for sudden drop-offs, docks, or paths where a child could unexpectedly reach the water. These “surprise” access points are much higher risk than an open shoreline.

3. The “Visual Block” Check 🚫
* Inflatables: Opaque floats or large platforms are major visual blocks. Anything a child could slip under and be hidden from view is a red flag.
* Motorized Vehicles: How close are boats or jet skis? I always look for a separate, clearly designated swimming zone.

4. Environmental Safety ☀️
* Shade Availability: I look for built or natural shade. It’s not just about comfort—it reduces heat exposure and “supervision fatigue” for parents.
* The “AED” Location: The first thing I do? I find exactly where the nearest defibrillator (AED) is located. Seconds matter.

5. Crowd & Staff Density 👥
* Visual Clutter: More people means more distraction. I prefer calm spaces where reaction time isn’t delayed by a “cluttered” field of view.
* Staff Presence: Is there a lifeguard, or at least a high ratio of sober staff-to-guests keeping an eye out?

What’s the first thing YOU check when you get

07/09/2026

OK - and this is totally non-sponsored, but for the WIN. 

The new technology is available in batteries size 2016, 2032, and 2025. 

* It can be easy to accidentally buy the OLD technology. SO - specifically look for it to say “Ultimate Child Shield”. You can buy these at my Amazon Store Front (link in bio)
* Comment GUIDE and I’ll send you that store plus my guide on “Choking + Poisoning Hazards” that includes a list of some of the most common places to find button batteries (that you may not even think about). 

Energizer says that the new “Ultimate Child Shield” batteries are made so that when/if they are swallowed, they will not cause the devastating internal burns that traditional button batteries do. 

I had a call with their team the other day, and they shared with me details on this, including the mechanism. That’s based on a new proprietary construction including titanium (compared with only steel in older batteries), that drastically reduces the development of hydroxide to the degree that it does not cause burns. 

I’m so happy to see innovation here, I definitely look forward to learning more, and will share more with you as more comes out! 

 TY to for the amazing work you do educating in this space! 

07/07/2026

It can be daunting to remember how to administer CPR especially in a critical moment. That is why I created a quick CPR Print-and Post!

Comment GUIDE for the free download!

If you’d like a CPR refresher (or were never trained) - it’s NEVER too late - and it’s so easy!

Check out nopanicparenting.com/courses for our virtual CPR/choking/drowning rescue course (created by doctors, with a focus to children AND adults, and with ongoing reminders so you never forget!) - and now available with a subscription model to make it affordable. The American Heart Association and American Red Cross also have great options.

07/02/2026

If your child falls into the water - it can feel natural to panic. But you won’t - because you saw this.
Most parents don't know that drowning CPR is different from typical cardiac arrest - in drowning, the issue isn’t the heart, it’s a lack of oxygen that triggers the arrest.
That’s why for drowning, you start with breaths, then compressions.
Since there is WAY more that I’d love to tell you to protect your littles around water, than I can fit in 90 seconds, I made a Drowning Prevention Checklist for you - with the information I use in my own home and tell my patients' parents.
Comment PREVENT and I'll send it to you.
Please send this to a parent who has babies you love ❤️

Address

Atlanta, GA

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr Darria Long Gillespie posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category