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When Kids Almost Drown - Water Safety

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July 17, 2009

When Kids Almost Drown - Water Safety

This week we were invited to a friend's pool. They have a shallow end. Thing 1 didn't want to wear a life jacket (and following suite - neither did Thing 2) - however there were noodles to keep them afloat and they had taken a few swimming lessons in the past year. There were the only kids in the pool and I was right there. I was right there.

Towards the end of our swim...I sat on the edge of the pool to dry off and prepare their towels. For some reason - perhaps it was the sudden quiet - or the lack of splashing - or a mother's instinct, I looked at the children...

Both heads were underwater, no noodle in sight, Thing 1 had her mouth open and was screaming but only bubbles were coming out. I stood up and froze for just a second. I couldn't believe my eyes.

Our friend (who was in front of me) jumped in and pulled them up. Thing 2 had lost the noodle - had grabbed on to Thing 1 - Thing 1 couldn't hold up the weight of Thing 2 and was just far enough that she was on her tip toes in the shallow end (and a bit more than an arms's reach from the ledge).

It scared the crap out of me. It scared them too. It was a big lesson for all of us.

I know I won't freeze again. The reality that kids drown in seconds hit home (and that they don't make a sound when they do). Water wings will always come to the pool with us. Water is fun - but it is also dangerous. Thank goodness - the grown-ups were right there.

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5 Comments:

At July 17, 2009 at 9:58 a.m. , Blogger Loukia said...

This is VERY scary - and a similar incident happened to me last year - my son, who was almost 3, was sitting on the steps of our friends pool, and so I turned my back to him, so I could dunk my head under water - my mom and my friend were outside the pool. I turned back, and he had slipped in the water - head down - no movement at all - I yelled OMG and started swimming super fast to him, and my friend jumped in at the same time, we both got to him within seconds - he was coughing/choking, threw up some water, crying... very scary, and it could have been MUCH worse. That really taught me a lesson! Now he does not go in the water without his life jacket on, even though this summer, he knows how to swim, even in the deep end (well, with his life jacket or floaties on)... very scary, indeed. You can never be too careful when children are in/around a pool!

 
At July 19, 2009 at 11:41 a.m. , Blogger Rebecca said...

How scary!

thank you for the reminder of how fast these things can happen even when we are right there.

glad everyone is ok

 
At July 20, 2009 at 9:45 a.m. , Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm so glad everyone is okay! I can only imagine the fear you (and your kids) must have been feeling. The scariest part is the freezing instead of reacting. I don't think you're alone. I've seen things happen to my kids in slow motion, I swear, and I've been unable to react. I think we feel as parents we'll always be quick, but sometimes when the unimaginable happens our body doesn't know how to react, no matter how prepared we think we are.

I hope you don't have to feel that feeling again.

 
At July 30, 2009 at 4:50 p.m. , Anonymous Jen @littlemissmocha said...

I could barely read this. How terrifying to have something like that happening in a flash, right behind you. Thanks for the reminder that it is quick, quiet and unexpected when kids get into trouble with water. All we can do is be within arm's reach, and thank heaven you all were. So glad they are okay! And now I'll try to start breathing again...

 
At August 7, 2009 at 2:23 a.m. , Anonymous BluePixo said...

Mother's instinct manifests the force that anticipates the unknown event that maybe harmful or useful to her children and family. Sometimes it is misunderstood as paranoia but it's unavoidable especially if a woman becomes a mother.

BluePixo Entertainment - A place for mom and dad to share topics about parenthood

 

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