READ THIS.

[skindyedindigo]

Summer is fast approaching. This means beaches and pools and water. Lots and lots of water.

"Out of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening."

http://

Comments

[tralfamadore]

Thank you for posting this. I nearly drowned in the deep end of a private pool when I took summer swimming lessons as a child. I was paddling around the shallow end on a little foam board, and got too close to the slope of the deep end. I tried to put my foot down and kick off, but ended up slipping. There were no less than three adults around, not to mention the other kids splashing around in both the deep and shallow ends. I fought as long as I can, but ended up passing out and actually having an out of body experience. (Physiological response, religious experience, whatever you want to call it. I opened my eyes and was floating above my own body, looking down and watching myself sink in the pool.)

I did get pulled out, though. Soon enough there was really no lasting damage (apart from a near-phobia of water), but it's surreal to me that it happened with so many people gathered around. I nearly died in someone's backyard surrounded by adults, literally a block away from my home.

Sorry, just... wanted to share. And thank you again for posting this.

[skindyedindigo]

Oh God. That is terrifying. I'm so glad that you survived that kind of an experience. It's so scary that so few people know the real signs of drowning -- most people expect to see what's in the movies; splashing and screaming for help. And in reality it's the opposite.