Swim, Run, Play…but BE CAREFUL!

Working in Public Health serves my family well.  I am surrounded by committed people who promote positive, informative, and helpful messages on health, wellness & safety.  The reminders at work help me to pay attention at home.  And motherhood is all about paying attention!  A concerned Mom recently approached me and asked me to share her story with you.  Her intention is that more people will remember to “pay close attention” when children are playing near or in water.  

“Last summer we took a vacation where the hotel had an impossibly beautiful and LARGE indoor pool.  Immediately upon arriving, we ran to the pool to play and swim and relax.  Our littlest one was not yet fully able to swim on her own.  She relied on water wings - not skill.  Within the first hour, in one quick and very quiet moment, she removed her floaties, jumped in the deep end of the pool, and was missing.  Nobody noticed. 

When I looked again to spot her, I couldn’t see her.  Then in what seemed like slow-motion time, I caught a glimpse of her head, then her little face in distress coming up from the water.  She was gasping for air, flailing, and in danger.  Then she went under again.  To my horror - - and right in front of my eyes - - I was witnessing her struggle. And she was failing.  I saw her trying to hold her head above water, and then she went under again.  (I still have flashes of that image in my memory…and it haunts me.)   

I rushed to jump in and a tremendous calm came over me when I held her up…I did not want MY fear and panic to become hers.  I only said one thing, “Can you breathe?”  She gasped and replied, “Yes”.   I let the moment pass quietly, while shaking in my heart.  Then she said, “Mommy-that was scary.”  “Yes it was honey, “and I held her tight.  Then she told me, “There were angels in the water.”   

And of course, I said, “Yes there were.” 

We continued to swim an hour more.  I did not want her afraid of the water.  We talked about pool safety and the rules (which we have to do frequently) and she continues to take swimming lessons.  She loves the water.  But I still remind myself to now stay very close by and watch her like the hawk that I have become.”   

Be an Angel - -Pay Attention.

Please read more information online in an article called “Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning” by Mario Vittone (posted June 4, 2013).