Every Sunday, we will share a story of a non-fatal drowning, discuss where things went wrong, and give some pointers on how to prevent it from happening to the people you love. Thankfully, these stories have happy endings for those involved, but sadly, we lose too many people to drowning every year. We hope examining these real-life stories help put the dangers of water into perspective and help you introduce various principles of water safety to your family!
Have you ever really needed to get somewhere and just couldn’t quite get out the door at the time you wanted? That’s what happened to 16 year old Caron Caldwell while trying to get out to play basketball with some friends one weekend. Thanks to the extra time it took to find some socks, he was right where he needed to be to save a young boy from drowning.
This story really emphasizes the fact that we all need a swim buddy and a water guardian when we are in the water. A swim buddy should be in the water with you, within arm’s reach. They can help you out in a quick changing situation. A water guardian should be outside the water but actively watching. They will be who calls 9-1-1 when help is needed.
This article also mentions that the little boy saved by Caldwell was autistic. Autism increases the risk of drowning, as do other conditions such as epilepsy and heart issues. If you or a loved one has a risk factor that puts them at a higher risk of drowning, please add additional layers of protection to prevent it from happening.
Use more layers of protection if you are at a higher risk of drowning due to your age or health conditions. Have fun, be safe, and use both a swim buddy and water guardian!
