http://gcaptain.com/drowning / Please use this link and see what drowning DOESN'T look like. Perhaps this is one of the reasons so many drown when others are around - no one realizes they are in distress! Very important and feel free to share the site. - 6/7/2011   8:47:24 AM

I live in Florida and we had a 4 year old drown at the backwater of the beach when her Dad claimed he just "looked away for a second" and she was gone. Apparently, she'd stepped off in a hole. When they found her body, it was WAY out in the sound. So, I know I never wanted to ever deal with this as it is something I knew I'd never get over, so when my children were small, I put swim vest on them (not arm floats.) People looked at me like I was stupid, but I didn't care. I took them for swimming lessons as well and to the pool every summer. I didn't want one of them to drown. - 5/31/2011   10:26:45 PM

Since I live in a state where pools are abundant as is, surprisingly, water recreation areas, I am hyper vigilant around water...especially if children are about. We had security doors installed on our back sliding door and bedroom door because they lead to our backyard and the pool area...not to keep people out, but to keep little ones in. Way to many drownings in our area...it only takes a second on inattention. Watch your kids around water..not just the babies. - 5/31/2011   4:45:03 PM

Thanks so much for the info. I am crazy about the water, and will be swimming in the ocean in two weeks. We always swim together, never alone, but I see a lot of people out there by themselves, not good. It is very important to watch the kids,at all times. - 5/31/2011   1:55:37 PM

Excellent. - 5/31/2011   4:18:11 AM

My daughter is starting her fourth summer as a lifeguard. She also swam competitively for 6 years. (I wish I could swim as well as her. Lol.) Out of curiosity, I just asked her what the number one piece of advice she would offer to parents. (She couldn't stop at one thing.)
1. Don't depend on floaties for your young kids. It gives them and a false sense of security and the first time they go in the water without them, they will have a problem.
2. Start with swimming lessons as young as possible
3. Don't yell at the lifeguard if they "dare" to discipline your kids while they are in the pool. They aren't being "mean" when they tell your kids to stop climbing on each other, dunking each other, running on the deck, etc. etc.
4. Don't try to talk to the lifeguard on the deck while they are watching the pool. If they are watching your kids they can't go change the toilet paper in the bathroom. - 5/31/2011   2:36:50 AM

Thanks for the info - 5/30/2011   5:37:14 PM

I teach/ am an adminstrator at a school. My principal and I just did a water safety session for every child in our school. We both worked at the local pool when we were younger, were guards and instructors. We did demos, watched a video, and practice some Red Cross chants = "Think so You don't Sink!", "Reach, Throw, but NEVER go!", "Don't just pack it, wear your jacket". (a little disclaimer, - it's now called a PFD), "Be COOL, follow the rule".
If it saves just one life or injury, it's worth my bruised knees from being the "drowning victim'' in the demos three times!
- 5/30/2011   2:18:33 PM

I live in Arizona, and We've already had several drownings, both adults and children. The most common place thing we hear is "I only turned around for a second" or "I thought someone else was watching them" - 5/30/2011   1:53:27 PM

Great information! I think it's also important to remind people to take refresher courses in CPR too. Just because you learned it once...doesn't mean you'll remember how if you don't practice it. - 5/30/2011   12:50:46 PM

Because I am not comfortable in water, I pay close attention to safety rules. - 5/30/2011   12:31:31 PM

Thanks for the info. Education is so important in being a good role model. Please don't drink (alcohol) and dive and don't let your friends do it either. - 5/30/2011   10:41:34 AM

thanks for the timely reminder! - 5/30/2011   10:29:50 AM