I have to admit, in the light of what happened at POP this weekend I am a bit freaked out now about leaving the E's unattended even though I know they have good swimming skills and there were multiple lifeguards there while we ditched them in search of Serenity. I digress but my heart hurts for the family for those who don't know, a 13 year old boy died after almost drowning in the Hippy Dippy Pool. The family was right there and honestly, at 13 with good swimming skills, we are not always "right" there. We are nearby but in the pool or physically next to where they are? No, not always. As I read about the incident, and thought of our trip to Serenity Bay it just gave me pause. Heck, as I think about our trip, or life, in general. Several times the boys were swimming without us. Never alone, usually with a lifeguard present but at what age, what skill is it ok? Is it? I know my parents weren't with me at that age. As long as I could pass the swim test to swim out to the platform at the lake we went to, that was good enough. I do not expect the lifeguards to babysit and heaven knows the boys swim at their own risk in our lake all summer long. Often we are there, but not out on the dock watching every move and at 13 the club allows them to be there without a parent. No lifeguard
and Evan spends most of his days down there with his friends jumping in and out of the lake. Last summer, at 13, was the first summer we let him go on his own without us, per club rules. I admit, I am glad Eric won't technically be old enough until after summer is over this year as I certainly dont trust Evan to keep an eye on him if he has friends there. Last summer, before the trip, Eric was on an aggressive lesson schedule so we could get him to a point where he could go into the ocean and even consider trying to snorkel but still, lessons aside, visuals aside, beyond the swim test at the Y
So how can you really know how far to let them go? At their ages I thought we did but with this happening it really makes me wonder if there is more to the story or not. The news said he was jumping in and out. CNN had a great article on teens and swimming and going beyond limits with peers as well as a scary bit of information about something called "shallow water blackout" that Im going to share with the Es. Hard. I cant even imagine.
I totally understand the shock over the situation.
The news kept harping on "No Lifeguards" They go off duty at 8pm. Signs are posted. Some reports had nothing about parents nearby and then some did. I first heard it from a clip from a Firefighter from Buffalo nearby that did CPR.
A 13 years old in the Hippy Dippy pool? That pool is not deep..4 4 1/2 feet deep maybe? Parents and other kids areound in a clear pool? Something else must have been going on. Maybe a medical emergency? Maybe he hit is head? Not sure but many, many,many kids play on a regular basis in a pool and do it safely.
Heck I did it and when of appropriate age and skill my kids did it. For me it was 12 and I could go to the pool by myself. Did every day during the summer.
Kids should have a buddy or someone with them- Rule One - never swim alone and someone should know where you are.
Kids should know how to behave and be safe around water.
Shallow water blackout happens during breath holding. Kids playing "how long can I stay under" games can lead to this.
Honestly, we used to play them often, How far can you swim underwater? How long can you stay under? Things like that.
Big NO NOs now. It is usually coupled with hyperventilation.
So sad it happened to this family and I hope they get some answers as to why and how.
In the end the posted ages along with a parent's confidence in swimming ability and common sense of the kids is all you can go on. In a guarded area, activities in the area and depth of the water also play a part. Unguarded areas require more consideration. Supervision at that point is the key, and the ability to get help if it is needed.
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Now for the updates. Palo looks great and so sorry about the pictures.
Even though it was a touch mean the boys deserved the trick and treat. THey were told where to be and well they weren't. Knowing there would not be oppotunities after that night, getting items for them was understandable and having them wait for it also justified.
I probably would have done the same thing. They lost out on the actual shopping part and that might have been enough punishment for losing track of time.
Packing up does suck but you are going back to Disney right? A couple more days? A few more surprises right?