Drowning warning

[Pastrydemon]

I just wanted to post this here. This incident scared the living daylights out of me. I was at the pool with DD and some friends a couple of weeks ago. We were in the toddler pool area -- the deepest part was 2ft. Moms and little kids everywhere (even a couple of teenage lifeguards). Suddenly this mom yells: "That child is DROWNING!" My friends and I look and we see a little boy, maybe 18 months, struggling under the water. One of my friends dove in and and brought him to the surface so fast my head spun. The mother of the child came running over, thanking my friend and shaking. She had turned her back for just a moment (to speak to her other child I think) and had not noticed him missing until she saw my friend jump in.

I can't get this incident out of my head. How incredibly FAST it happened, how many people were around that DIDN'T see it (just little waving arms, floating hair and little red bathing suit). He had just slipped under so fast.

I'm posting this to just remind everyone of how quickly this could have turned tragic. Just thinking about it gives me the chills.

Another incident last summer: my good friend's very fearless daughter ran right down the steps of a busy swimming pool and went under (she had dashed off while her father was changing her little brother's diaper). My DH turned around just in time to see it. NO ONE at the pool would have noticed -- she was under so fast.

Be careful out there!

[3kidsclmr]

Thank you!! They say drowning happens quickly and silently. Thankfully this was not a tragedy, but so easily could have been. I really needed this reminder...especially at this time of year.

[soonerorlater]

Such a good reminder! Once, when DS was about 2yo, DH was sitting on the steps of a pool and holding DS, letting DS "stand" on his (DH's) legs. DH let go at one point and DS fell in face first and instantly inhaled water, in a split second. If DH hadn't been literally within arm's reach, it makes me sick to think what might have happned. :

[mom22girls]

We used to have a pool when we lived in the US. One day we took a break from swimming and I hauled the pool sweeper on the deck to check it, dd (3)was watching me, must have lost her balance and in she went, head first. Had she not been wearing a life vest, I believe she would have swallowed a good amount of water before I could get her up (she got a little anyway). It was scary how quickly & quietly it happened AND that I was right next to her.

Every day I went to check the pool security (the security net kind) fencing to make sure everything was A-OK. My dh used to tease me that I was going out to "check the lower 40" but I couldn't have lived with myself if anything ever happened. The pool was nice, but worrying about it constantly wasn't.

Remember, a child is more likely to drown with a crowd of people around.

Take care everyone!!!!

[Gabbi]

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[bdavis337]

I will not at all decry how important water safey and parental vigilance is around pools, lakes, boating, etc. Coast guard approved life vests are a fantastic idea for anyone with non-swimmers or young kids around the water if you're not confident that you'll have your eyes on them 100% of the time. NO other "floatie" is worthwhile.

That said - be aware that if you portray fear and concern around the water rather than healthy respect and care, your child may easily pick up on this and in turn have a difficult time developing water safety and swimming skills. I suggest avoiding phrases like "stay away from the deep end, you'll drown", etc. If your child can't touch, it's ALL deep anyway, and instilling respect is different than instilling fear.

Be cautious, be smart and avoid the hazards. Yet remember that any fear we give out is easily picked up by our children. My son has no "fear" of water either, and I'm glad. It's far easier for me to teach him to respect and use the water wisely (he's 2, ftr, and we swim together all over the pool), than it will ever be to try to get him past a point of fear.

[Gabbi]

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[hipumpkins]

Bump...b/c it is an excellent warning.

[mama2mygirl]

Originally Posted by bdavis337

I will not at all decry how important water safey and parental vigilance is around pools, lakes, boating, etc. Coast guard approved life vests are a fantastic idea for anyone with non-swimmers or young kids around the water if you're not confident that you'll have your eyes on them 100% of the time. NO other "floatie" is worthwhile.

That said - be aware that if you portray fear and concern around the water rather than healthy respect and care, your child may easily pick up on this and in turn have a difficult time developing water safety and swimming skills. I suggest avoiding phrases like "stay away from the deep end, you'll drown", etc. If your child can't touch, it's ALL deep anyway, and instilling respect is different than instilling fear.

Be cautious, be smart and avoid the hazards. Yet remember that any fear we give out is easily picked up by our children. My son has no "fear" of water either, and I'm glad. It's far easier for me to teach him to respect and use the water wisely (he's 2, ftr, and we swim together all over the pool), than it will ever be to try to get him past a point of fear.

I agree. My dd and I are in a mommy and me swim class. My dd was swimming back and forth between us. At one point, she did this underwater flip thing. The teacher gasped and I calmly grabbed her. I made a point to smile but the teacher said, "That scared me!!!" My dd was so clearly trying to decide how to feel. (She ended up asking, "Mama, were you scared?" "Nope, I was watching the whole time." And then she relaxed.)

[Pastrydemon]

Just to be clear: I'm not advocating fear of water...just to be extra vigilent around water, especially in crowds.

Also :the child I saw almost drown was capable of standing with his head and shoulders above the water, he slipped under and seemed unable to stand up.

[hipumpkins]

Pastrydemon i toatlly get your point. My kids love water, Love to "swim" splash and jump. Both take swimming...I do not pass on any fear of the water however being vigilant is not being fearful.