Hello {{ subscriber.first_name or "friend" }},
A reader commented on a blog post from my website, entitled
Drowning: The Silent Killer and I wanted to share her comments with you since I found her story very relevant and good timing, too; since summer just arrived, so many of us are heading back to our favorite watering holes and probably with children in tow. Here's what she wrote:
(This email contains an affiliate link. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclaimer.)
Thank you for sharing! This very experience happened to me as well with my two year old daughter. Sadly, I was right beside her when it happened. Luckily I saw her in time and she is alive and well but it shook me thinking about how different this day could’ve been.
At the time my 2 children were both wearing the life jacket that’s sort of like a chest/lap belt with attached floaties (puddle jumper). They’re very popular right now.
We were at the pool, my two young children and I, and I was swimming with my son while my daughter played on the pool steps.
My daughter (2 years old at the time) figured out she could slide the floaties off her arms and then simply wiggle out of the chest/lap belt (which, by the way, was adjusted very snuggly). I didn’t notice.
I was right beside her when I looked over and saw her completely under the water, eyes wide as saucers. My four year old son had no idea what was happening. I grabbed her out of the water. We no longer wear this type of life jacket.
Thankfully, this happened the week before we were going to be at my cousin’s lake house. I wouldn’t have thought twice at the time about her wearing this particular life jacket.
It terrifies me to think about this same thing happening at a lake where I wouldn’t have been able to see her under the water.
Luckily, we stumbled across your website and I have since taught my son how to swim (he’s a new swimmer) and we’re working with my now 3 year old daughter as well!
Thanks again, Sarah
I know of someone whose son also shimmied out of his puddle jumper and ended up in the pool. Thankfully, she also saw her son in the nick of time.
Do you have a similar story? If so, hit reply and please share it with me. I would love to hear it.
Also, in case you're interested,
here’s a link to a puddle jumper with a new design. One that I would think would be very difficult for a 2-year-old to remove.
Until next time, stay safe and...
