As a parent, the heartbreaking story of elite skier Jake Lawson and his wife, who tragically lost their 19-month-old daughter to drowning, hit me deeply. It’s a reminder that we can all relate to as caregivers. Recently, I encountered another distressing case involving a 6-year-old boy, the same age as my children, who drowned in a local pool from my hometown.
While most parents are aware of the dangers associated with drowning, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of vigilance. Child drownings can occur in an instant—quicker and quieter than one might expect. If there’s one key takeaway, it’s this: never let your guard down.
A few years ago, when our daughter was about 2.5 years old, we spent a weekend at a familiar resort. Feeling some typical parental guilt over not capturing enough moments of our youngest, I placed him on the ledge of the pool while I held him steady, and my partner snapped a few photos. Just moments into our photo session, I noticed a lifeguard sprinting toward us, shouting. Turning around, we saw our daughter completely submerged, without a sound or splash. She had simply walked in, taking steps until she could no longer touch the bottom. It happened so fast; she was staring wide-eyed at the surface of the water when I reached her.
It was absolutely terrifying. We shared this experience as a cautionary tale, yet shockingly, it happened again.
This time, both kids were in the pool wearing floats while my partner and I lounged nearby. In the midst of discussing dinner plans, our daughter calmly called out, “Mom, Dad.” We told her to hold on. A second time, she repeated our names without urgency. It was only on her third call that she added, “Santi took off his floats.” Santi was just 2. We jumped into the water and pulled him to safety by his hair.
Just like when our daughter nearly drowned, there was no noise or struggle. Despite being in a crowded pool, no one else noticed a child in distress. These frightening moments shook us to the core. We always assumed drowning would be a loud, chaotic event, but it was eerily quiet. It can happen in just one minute. Think about that: in 60 seconds, everything you hold dear could be gone.
Now, even though my children can swim, I keep a watchful eye on them. If I step away to use the bathroom, I designate someone specific to keep watch and clearly ask them to do so. If they’re bathing and I need to leave the room, I call out their names and ensure they respond until I’m back. If big floats are in the pool, I don’t hesitate to check on them immediately. I have developed a deep aversion to floats.
I share these experiences vulnerably, feeling somewhat ashamed that it took us two close calls to learn this lesson, but I hope it serves as a crucial reminder for others about the gravity of drowning risks.
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Summary
Drowning can happen quickly and silently, as experienced by many parents. This article recounts two terrifying incidents involving children nearly drowning, emphasizing the importance of constant vigilance around water. Even with swimming skills, parents must remain watchful and proactive in ensuring their children’s safety.
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