Monday, 5 June 2017
You only have a minute.
As we head into Summer, I want to quickly share this short simple video on how to spot drowning. The article points out that most drownings happen when adults are nearby or in the water with the drowning person. The video shows what to look for, and that drowning doesn't look like drowning.
When I did a first aid course, the instructor told a story how her friend's 7 year old almost drowned while she and her friend stood chatting in the pool with him. She fortunately spotted him in time, but that story has stuck with me for a decade. I have had to fish a drowning kid out of a pool, and my husband spotted another at a Christmas day celebration. None of the adults in the pool had even noticed.
From my own experience, I wasn't sure the child was drowning and I was confused as to whether they were swimming or standing or needed help. I didn't react as quickly as I should have, but I did eventually jump in. You get a feeling something isn't right, but you are unsure what it is. You don't think 'oh my god, he's drowning!'. However, this article describes exactly how it looked. (It was at a pool party and no adults were supervising. I was watching my youngest, a sibling not really at the party, so I stayed by the pool. The party kids were 7 or 8, and for the most part, they could stand throughout the pool).
You only have a minute to act. The tip that if they can't answer, they're drowning is excellent.
Here's hoping you never need this information. The article is from The Slate. Animated video here.
Linking with #Lifethisweek
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Gosh! This is an eye opener. Thanks Lydia
ReplyDeleteYes- it's so easy to miss the signs if you don't know what it looks like.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing - so important. This information could really save lives. That video was an eye opener.
ReplyDeleteYes, it can sometimes be hard to know whether a kid is swimming or struggling in those early years. One of our friend's kids very nearly got into trouble when we were all in a pool chatting and playing. You can't take your eyes off them for a second.
ReplyDeleteMy son nearly drowned in a friends backyard swimming pool, I was struck at the time with just how quiet it really is. Such a terrifying event in my life.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Definitely good to know!
ReplyDeleteSo important to know. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is scary stuff. I hadn't realised these signs so this has been a real eye-opener. Thank-you so much for sharing! #fortheloveofBLOG
ReplyDeleteThat's a scary thought that you can sometimes not realise that a child is drowning. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteOh it is so easy when little kids are around the pool because they just fall and its silent. We were incredibly vigilant when our grandkids were around but even then, a small one, suddenly going from the stand-up beach area into the deeper area saw them go under..really fast. We were there. But it can happen so easily.
ReplyDeleteLydia, I couldn't comment anywhere on this post today...I was being asked questions about blogger...anyway, thank you for sharing this so important topics today. Denyse #lifethisweek
DeleteI read that Slate article too. I hope I never have to use this information but it's good to have. #kcacols
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my biggest fears! I hope I never have to use this info, but thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder - I too hope it's something I never have to use. We've had a close encounter in Bali - worst moment of my life. Thank god my bro raised the alarm so quickly!! You're so right about the silence of if all! Scary! #teamIBOT
ReplyDeleteThis is such a useful post, and I would have had no idea. It's something to always look out for, and to be aware off. Thanks for linking up at #fortheloveofBLOG. Claire x
ReplyDeleteMy boys do swimming lessons all through winter - and I think it's important to share this, even if people think it's the wrong season...because it can happen at anytime.
ReplyDeleteI think television shows could really help with getting people to understand this. It definitely needs to be understood more widely. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteI was once saved by my friends while I was at swimming learning session 15 years back. Here through rabbit hole. Thanks for bringing this into notice.
ReplyDeleteSo scary. Very important to know the signs. Thanks for linking up with #KCACOLS, hope to see you again next time.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing this, I think a lot more needs to be done to spread this message that drowning doesn't look like drowning. x #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteWow this is really interesting and I would never have known the signs had I not read the post you linked to. Thank you for sharing! Just goes to show you can never be too careful. #KCACOLS
ReplyDeleteSuch an important video to watch especially as a reminder as we approach summer. I take my grandson to swimming lessons and when I first started and had to get into the pool with him, I was quite nervous. We have both gained confidence but we also need to remember anything can happen and it only takes 60 secs. #lifethisweek
ReplyDeleteIt really is something we need to be aware of as we get closer to summer and swimming weather. Thanks Lydia. #lifethisweek
ReplyDeleteOh God reading this has made me break out in goosebumps as I recall two separate and equally horrible incidents with my own children many years ago that still haunt me today. Kids need very close supervision when in the pool and/or water of any kind. Timely post as we come into summer.
ReplyDeleteI was today old when I learned about this and it's such an important lesson. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete