PSA- Drowning doesn't look like drowning

We experienced a version of this first hand at a CG in Florida a couple of months ago. My gf and I were at the pool. Only others there were 4 kids, ages about 13, 11, 9, 2. The older kids were "watching" the 2 year old. After a while the 13 year old and 9 left the pool area. The 2 year old who was wearing a life jacket was running around the pool and the 11 yr old was in the water. Eventually the little boy walked around the pool almost directly in front of us and started taking off his life jacket. Luckily we were not reading a book / not watching as the 11 yr old was in the far end of the pool at this time.

As I was telling my gf that I hoped the kid knew how to swim he turned and jumped feet first in 5 feet of water just like he still had a life jacket on. He went to the bottom and the top of his head made it back up but that was it. He was going down again when I jumped in and grabbed him. He had taken in water already and immediately threw up all over me and the pool. Luckily he was fine,after throwing up and sputtering some, and of course didn't realize what had happened. I had a serious talk with his " watchers " who realized they had screwed up.

My point is during this whole process which only lasted maybe a minute the kid made no sound. another minute and he would have been on the bottom of the pool.

Scared me and my gf more than the kids I think.

Thank you for reminding me. I have seen this before but, it is always good to see it again .

Interesting article

Thanks for posting. Very important subject.

Also beware of what is called "second drowning".

http://www.todaysparent.com/family/family-health/secondary-drowning/