Lessons I Learned the Day my Daughter Almost Drowned
Life Jackets Stay on Until you Leave the Pool
My toddler wore a coast-guard approved life jacket the entire time we were swimming. I made the mistake of taking it off to dry her off as we were getting ready to leave.
While I was packing up towels and chatting, she snuck off and we nearly lost her.
Non-swimmers need to be in coast-guard approved life jackets until you are away from the water. The only exception to this is if the child is being actively supervised in the water by an adult in order to practice swimming skills. That means that adult does nothing else but supervise that one child. As soon as the swimming practice is over the life jacket goes back on immediately.
I like the full coast-guard approved life vests with the extra infant head floatation for younger kids.
As they get older, I love the Puddle Jumpers (which are also coast-guard approved) because they allow for a little more movement, which is great for learning to swim.
We’re actually still working up to letting my daughter practice her swimming skills without a life jacket on. I know eventually it will need to happen in order for her to learn to swim but right now we are still warming up to the idea of being back in the water so the life jacket stays on.
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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.