PSA

[trkykilr]

Something happened here in Columbia, and I thought it was too good of a reminder not to post here, now that everyone is OK. The reminder may save one of your children or the child of someone you know.

Last night we were having a swim meet in the lap pool of our club. While that was going on, kids who were done or not involved were swimming and playing in the “social” pool nearby. Details of what exactly happened aren’t available yet, but somehow, with two lifeguards, a 6 year old ended up on the bottom of the pool for several minutes. The child was pulled from the water unconscious and in very serious danger. Several doctors performed CPR, and were able to revive the child. Both of my children witnessed this, annd apparently it was a very scary situation that could’ve very easily gone in a different direction.

The child was taken, by ambulance, to the PICU, and reports late last night and this morning are good. All vital signs seem to be very good, and it looks like our community and a great family dodged a bullet.

Bottom line, water is dangerous and will kill you. Be aware of those around you, and make sure that your children understand the dangers. It happens fast, as it did last night. I pray all of you and your families/friends have a great and safe summer.

[Sasha and Abby]

OMG. what a wake up call. The Lord has something special for that child.

[BMAC_ducks]

Same thing happened at our club pool last summer. Child was found by a parent and luckily a nurse or dr was there to help revive the child, who was blue in the face. Lifeguards did nothing. Parent had turned their back for about 5 seconds. Luckily child survived, please be aware, even if the child is a good swimmer. These pools can get so crowded these days.

[PharmHunter]

Continued prayers for them! Can't imagine the level of fear in that situation. Definitely a lesson/reminder for all of us with kids. So glad this situation didn't turn out different.

[Maggie Glover]

Since I was a child myself, I never assumed for a minute that those teenagers in the highchairs would be responsible for anything except to stop running around the pool. MG

[Five Oh]

I was a lifeguard all through high school. Probably close to the most stressful job I've ever had. Two of my 'saves ' were kids that were with in arms length of their parents but they were looking the other way. When kids go under they do it quickly and quietly. It always amazed me how many parents would ignore their kids because a 15 yr old with a whistle was sitting in a chair.

[trkykilr]

I was a lifeguard all through high school. Probably close to the most stressful job I've ever had. Two of my 'saves ' were kids that were with in arms length of their parents but they were looking the other way. When kids go under they do it quickly and quietly. It always amazed me how many parents would ignore their kids because a 15 yr old with a whistle was sitting in a chair.

Sitting in a chair texting and scrolling.

Also, every inch of that pool area is under video surveillance. It will be very telling what that video shows.

[GBelly]

I was a lifeguard all through high school. Probably close to the most stressful job I've ever had.

The little bit I did of this as a teen filling in for others at the CC was the same. Kids going to the bottom to see who can last the longest, going to the drain in the deep end and holding the bottom...all this in a pool filled with activity and people in and out, the running, the dive boards etc etc etc....I tried to stay away from the pool and on a mower somewhere on the course so I wouldnt/couldnt get asked to fill in.

Hope the child makes a speedy recovery.

[We Jeep Inn]

Glad the kid is ok. Lucky the right people were there to handle it. Every parent has looked up and their kid was there just seconds ago. Terrifying feeling. Things happen fast.

My son (now 19) was born and raised on the lake. He took swimming lessons as a toddler. There is a poplar tree between our house and the lake that was the point in the yard he could not pass without having a life jacket on. He wore a life jacket on the dock and on the boat. No questions, even with an adult present. We never had to fight him to put a life jacket on. We would let him hang out with us around the water if one of us was focused on him. If it got busy or his friends were around, life jackets went on.

[ecu1984]

Good reminder, glad he is ok
I am paying for swimming lessons right now for one of my 5 year old Grandsons.
He has been going once a week for about 5 weeks (1hr lessons) and just started "getting it".
He is swimming on his own as of this past Saturday. Not like an Olympian but he is 100% swimming

[cajunwannabe]

Thank the Lord the little one survived! Pools and ocean rip currents are my fear when it comes to kids and water.

I lifeguarded, was a certified water safety instructor and taught swimming and basic lifeguarding. We are at a friends condo in Edisto, my back stays to the wall watching ALL of the kids, not just our grands. I respect water and when we think everyone else is watching the children, that's when we let our guard down and nobody is watching the children.

[wiz18]

Take the time to learn hands only CPR and carry a tourniquet. I personally know 2 different girls that will walk across the stage to graduate because of them

https://cpr.heart.org/en/cpr-courses...hands-only-cpr