Lessons I Learned the Day my Daughter Almost Drowned
Assign a Water Watcher
We were told in the PICU that the worst drowning accidents happen when there is a large group of people. Think parties or backyard barbecues. Everyone thinks someone else is watching. That’s when accidents happen and that’s terrifying. We had 6 adults actively watching the kids when my daughter’s accident happened. Not one of us noticed that she had snuck away and was quietly drowning in the hot tub only 10 feet away. Anytime you are near water, especially when you have a larger group of adults, you need to have an assigned water watcher. There are only 2 rules for the Water Watcher but they are STRICT:
- The Water Watcher does nothing else but watch the kids in the water. No phone. No talking to other adults. No reading. Nothing.
- Rotate Water Watchers every 15-20 minutes to make sure the person watching stays alert.
You are the only one in charge of your non-swimming kids. One of the nurses that cared for my daughter told me that she has learned to never ask someone else to watch her non-swimming child. You are the one who is going to be most mindful of your own child and both you and the person you asked to watch your child would feel terrible if something happened. Every year, over 800 children drown. Most of those children are toddlers. As a mom, I want to make sure I pay attention to those stats because it happens and it happens often. 
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How terrifying! These are awesome tips to remember as summer gets into full swing. My daughter can swim but we’ll still be employing many of these tips as we hang out around the pool.
Such an important story to share and help us all keep alert near the water. I can’t begin to imagine those feelings of terror. So glad she is okay and something made you aware just at that moment.
Thank you for sharing your story and the lessons learned! I cried reading the original post. How scary! Thank goodness those mommy instincts went off and you found your baby girl when you did. I’m so glad she’s doing well and your terrifying experience has a happy ending!
How scary, just so glad she was ok!
Thanks! We are too. I still think about that moment I found her every single day, even now almost a year later. It’s changed us in so many ways.
Wow, happy that it ended well. Great tips, this article should be a must-read for every parent. Reading it from somebody who experienced it is what gives it a real power, not just some random anti drowning tips.
Hi Rachel.
Wow, feel like my heart either just stopped or missed a beat.
Being a mother of three, this type of event is a massive wake up call to me.
I’m not going to read the full blog post, i just couldn’t, but i wish you all the best with it.
All the best from mom to mom. x
Michelle
Thank you. It’s so hard to read. I think just realizing how quickly an accident can happen and making sure we don’t assume it can’t happen to us can go a long way towards keeping our kids safe.
I’m so glad to hear she was one of the lucky ones. We hear so many horror stories of kids drowning yes with alot of people around. I can’t stress enough sending kids to swimming lessons at an early age. The sooner the better. I know it can get pricey but your kids are irreplaceable. I think its important to have a couple of great swimmers in the each side of the pool watching. Little ones are hard to keep track of because they are so little I know. Perhaps have a designated person just to keep an eye on the little ones. Summer is coming get ready for those pool parties. Have a great week everyone.
I really wish it was that simple. My kids have all had swimming lessons from an early age. My daughter is now almost 5 and has gone through almost a dozen sessions of swimming lessons. She still can’t swim. Some kids just learn faster than others so to say that early swimming lessons is the answer to this problem is short sighted. We did have people watching all around the pool. There were multiple adults who were all very vigilant. Things like this happen so quickly.
Hi Rachel,
I’m glad she is ok. This is something every parent should be aware before attending any Pool party I’m sure your story could save someone life. If you keep a title like – Thing to Do Before attending Pool Party etc If you keep something of this sort article title then users who are going to party could come across your article and take care their kids.
It’s really a terrifying story for anyone.and thanks god that she is ok.im going to read full story.thank you for sharing with us
First of all, I am so glad that your daughter is alive and well. Unfortunately, so many parents have lost their children to drowning and like you say it mostly occurs in pool party settings. Rotating water watchers is a great tip. It’s also important that water watchers know how to spot someone drowning. This ABC news story shows how easy it is to miss it: https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Family/protecting-kids-pool-parties-summer/story?id=56316315 Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sure it’s had an impact and hopefully has saved a few lives.