Toddler drowns at Westgate Lakes..

[rikkis_playpen Diamond Club Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close rikkis_playpen]

Rescue officials: Child drowns at Orange County resort - OrlandoSentinel.com

I hate these stories.. So heartbreaking.. But I guess they do serve as a reminder to cherish every minute with your own kids.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Rescue officials: Child drowns at Orange County resort - OrlandoSentinel.com

I hate these stories.. So heartbreaking.. But I guess they do serve as a reminder to cherish every minute with your own kids.

As well as a reminder that you can't take your eyes off them for a second when there is a pool nearby. Even if there are lifeguards, though I doubt that was the case if this happened at a timeshare.

Tragic.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

As well as a reminder that you can't take your eyes off them for a second when there is a pool nearby.

And also a reminder of how it is never too early to teach your children basic water safety / swimming. Simply teaching them how to "bob" (and practice it!) if they ever get in over their heads in the water can be a great life saver, especially since most pools are not deeper that 4 feet or so. I think a lot of parents just rely on floatation devices and don't stress water skills.

Kurt

[BoardGirl Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close BoardGirl]

And also a reminder of how it is never too early to teach your children basic water safety / swimming. Simply teaching them how to "bob" (and practice it!) if they ever get in over their heads in the water can be a great life saver, especially since most pools are not deeper that 4 feet or so. I think a lot of parents just rely on floatation devices and don't stress water skills.

Kurt

right on. everyone that will be near water needs to have skills to save themselves. there won't necessarily be "swimmies" to don or nose plugs or goggles.

My husband is not a great swimmer and I told him years ago that if anything happens, I will attempt to save him but if he fights me (as those panicking will do) I will leave his ass and save myself.

Lifeguards know some tricks to subdue the combative and know when they have to leave the person behind to keep from having 2 drownings.

there was a segment on Frontline or one of those this week about the tiny tots floating on their backs. as young as 6 mos. older kids do it clothed, since most suddenly in water are clothed (retention ponds around here claim clothed kids).

It's really not something new. Back in the 70s, there was a lady that brought her tots to the pool doing the exact same thing. they don't know fear when they are really young so basic survival instincts kick in. learning how to float on your back and tread water are very important. some people are not so buoyant, their butts sink, and these people especially need to figure out how to stay afloat while conserving energy.

I'm so sorry such a needless tragedy occurred. Lifeguards aren't babysitters. In a crowded pool, they cannot see everyone. My heart goes out to those parents. I cannot imagine the anguish.

[Hobbitess Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hobbitess]

Not pertinent to the article that started this thread (because this is about recognizing distress in a person you expect to be in the water), but certainly pertinent to child safety:

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

A lot of people have an idea of what a drowning person looks like that is TV reality and not Real Reality, which contributes to the problem. People who are struggling may be at risk of drowning, but people in the act of drowning are relatively quite about it, and may even look like they're able to breathe (I can float in that vertical position quite comfortably for a fair while - because of how I'm built, not because that's how it works for everybody ).

My brother once plucked a toddler out of the water (our cousin), and as with this article, the child wasn't struggling and couldn't express his distress until after he'd been rescued.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Not pertinent to the article that started this thread (because this is about recognizing distress in a person you expect to be in the water), but certainly pertinent to child safety:

Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

A lot of people have an idea of what a drowning person looks like that is TV reality and not Real Reality, which contributes to the problem. People who are struggling may be at risk of drowning, but people in the act of drowning are relatively quite about it, and may even look like they're able to breathe (I can float in that vertical position quite comfortably for a fair while - because of how I'm built, not because that's how it works for everybody ).

My brother once plucked a toddler out of the water (our cousin), and as with this article, the child wasn't struggling and couldn't express his distress until after he'd been rescued.

This has been my experience as well. In my case there was a lifeguard, diligently studying for the SATs. Just because there's a lifeguard doesn't mean anyone should relax when they have kids in the water.

[Lisa P Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Lisa P]

When my DD was a child, taking swim lessons at the local YMCA, her swim group was swimming the long longth of the indoor pool for the first time, without swim aids. I watched from the side as she lagged behind the group midway, then slowed to a tired, odd-looking, ineffective dog-paddle, then stopped kicking altogether and her head dropped back, eyes glazed. I knew she was in trouble and called out. A lifeguard on the other side dove in and reached her and lifted her up. DD then cried hysterical. Her instructor defensively told me to get a grip and I had to turn away myself in tears.

The article you posted about drowning, Hobbittess, was a vivid reminder of that day. It describes EXACTLY what I saw. Until I had called out, the place was full of adults (parents, swim instructors, lifeguards) who were busy and not noticing a child in trouble. It can and does happen - anywhere.

[toyjsu Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close toyjsu]

This is awful. I feel for the family. They had to end their vacation in such a horrible way.

[pkyorkbeach Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pkyorkbeach]

Terrible
I hope they do not hold the TimeShare accountable.

[chriskre Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close chriskre]

As well as a reminder that you can't take your eyes off them for a second when there is a pool nearby. Even if there are lifeguards, though I doubt that was the case if this happened at a timeshare.

Tragic.

No lifeguards at this resort although it's big enough that it probably should have one.

[canderson Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close canderson]

I was there when this happened it was very up setting.