Our Daughter’s Near-Drowning Experience: Lessons Learned

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Back in September, I went through the most terrifying moment of my life—believing our 2-year-old daughter was on the brink of death. My partner, Alex, let out a scream that I’ll never forget. We found our little girl, Emma, floating face down in a hot tub, and the image of her pale, motionless body being pulled from the water is something I still struggle to shake off.

Thankfully, this story has a positive ending, and I feel ready to share some insights from the incident that I hope serve as a cautionary tale for others.

Our weekend began joyfully. It was the first time we visited Alex’s parents’ new home in Austin, and we spent most of Labor Day weekend enjoying their in-ground pool. On that Sunday, after lunch downtown, we returned home for a few hours of swimming before planning to grill steaks for dinner and pack up for our drive back the next day.

Around 5 p.m., Emma announced that she was done swimming. She started to remove her floaty but needed assistance from a family member. I thought it was fine for her to take it off since we were getting ready to dry off and eat. That was my first mistake.

Alex’s dad was holding our infant, and we were about to join the conversation with the other adults. In the midst of casual chatter, Emma quietly climbed onto the edge of the hot tub and slipped beneath the water—without anyone noticing. It all happened so fast, and I still can’t comprehend how she got past four adults who were just feet away.

I had read countless articles over the summer emphasizing how drowning doesn’t resemble the dramatic scenes from movies, so I felt prepared to protect my girls. Just two days before our trip, Alex and I discussed extra precautions we would take, like keeping Emma in her floaty, installing an extra lock on the door, and never taking our eyes off her. We thought we had every angle covered.

When Alex pulled Emma from the pool, he laid her on a patch of grass and began CPR—chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth—but she wasn’t responding. I felt completely detached, as if watching from outside my body, while my brother-in-law held me back as I screamed, desperate to hold my little girl. It was utterly horrific.

Eventually, Emma coughed up blood, and we feared the worst, thinking she was slipping away. But then, she began to cough up more blood and water. That was the best moment of my life. Alex handed her to me, and he called 911. When the paramedics arrived, I begged them to assure me she would be okay, but they only told me she was alive and in good hands.

We rushed to Dell Children’s Hospital in Austin, where we spent nearly four hours in the ER, repeating the story of what happened over and over. A doctor looked Alex in the eyes and told him he had saved Emma’s life, and that moment broke us down.

A day later, we were discharged and sent home to begin the healing process with our little miracle. If I could have seen this coming, I would have done everything to prevent it. Despite our precautions, the unexpected happened, and we’ve spent much time reflecting on the experience to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Here are some lessons we took away from this harrowing experience:

1. More Adults Can Be Distracting: I let my guard down thinking that with more adults around, someone else was watching Emma. In reality, that distraction proved detrimental.
2. Floaties Aren’t a Substitute for Swimming Skills: Emma felt independent while wearing her floaty, but once it was off, she may have forgotten she couldn’t swim. Our goal is to enroll her and her sister in swim lessons before our next pool visit.
3. Stay Certified in CPR: Knowing CPR can be lifesaving. Alex’s military training had kept him up to date, while I hadn’t been certified in years. I’m now signed up for a CPR class that includes essential skills like the Heimlich maneuver so that I’m prepared for emergencies.
4. Kindness Matters: After the incident, I took Emma to a dentist appointment. Watching two girls play with her reminded me how important it is to be kind, as everyone is battling their own struggles.
5. Faith Is Essential: In those terrifying moments, we leaned on our faith. Prayer provided us comfort and strength when words failed us.

For more information on swim safety, check out the resources on at-home insemination and how to get involved in a supportive community like Make a Mom. If you’re considering at-home insemination, Make a Mom also offers the only reusable option available, which you can learn about here. And for those looking for a more specialized kit, the BabyMaker Home IntraCervical Insemination Syringe Kit Combo is a great resource. For a comprehensive look at insemination success rates, visit WebMD’s guide.

In summary, our family’s experience was a traumatic reminder of the importance of vigilance, preparation, and compassion. We are grateful for the lessons learned and the support we’ve received.