Another incident in WDW

[Uncleromulus]

Nothing wierd about it--at least in the quiet pools. None of those have lifeguards and you swim at your own risk.
Regarding CPR--my guess is that once someone starts to administer CPR, there is no need for someone (a lifeguard) to shove them aside and take over. I think they would just stand by to "assist", since properly giving CPR (by one person) is exhausting.
And lifeguards don't have the ability to eagle-eye everyone in a pool, at all times. Recall my early days at a public pool (and Boy Scout camp) where I saw several kids dragged from a pool--not by lifeguards, but by folks nearby who just happened to see them first.
And as several have noted, we wouldn't even have heard about this were it not for the person involved.
Who--in spite of his reputation-did a good thing.

 

[PatsGirl]

Just my 2 cents

Each of us has to take responsibility for our own. Lifeguards should be thought of as merely a back-up if needed.

We live on a pond and within biking distance of many other areas to swim, mainly the ocean. There are lifeguards only June 25 to Labor Day and then only 10-4 or so. My children were taught to swim very early on, about age 3 or 4. Once my DS passed his junior lifesaving (12) he was then allowed to go boating and swimming on the buddy system and I will do the same for my DD. At nearly 16 I still will not allow my son to supervise his sister at the beach/pond. If something happened, he would have to live with this for the rest of his life and I don't want to put that kind of responsibililty on him.

Point being that we are each liable for our own children and it is time more parents took that responsibility more seriously. Too many times it is the lifeguards' fault, the teachers' fault, the drivers' fault (for kids not wearing helmets, etc.), the coaches' fault, the courts' fault -- personally, I've heard it all and I think it stinks.

I am certainly not raising perfect children but I am raising children that are obligated to assume responsibility for their actions -- they know that every action has a consequence, be it good or bad.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Is it positive that it happened in the KIDDIE pool? If so, exactly how deep is the kiddie pool at GF? We've only been in the All Star resorts kiddie pools and they have always been ankle deep (or maybe an inch over the ankle). I mean seriously-so shallow that even a 2yr old (how old she was the first time we went) thought man... I'm in deeper water when I take a bath. LOL (and begs to go to big pool which we promptly take her WITH us... but that's besides the point). Point being that even a 2yr old (who btw didn't like water in her face ever back then) thought that pool was boring with a capital B. Even baby pools you blow up manually have deeper water than the kiddie pools we've experienced at WDW. Is the GF kiddie pool deeper?

This last trip she, at age 4, didn't want to do anything but walk through the kiddie pool (getting only feet and ankles wet) on the way to the big pool. Call me a bad parent but I did have my oldest (now 11) watch her in the kiddie pool for a few minutes while I stepped in to put clothes in the dryer (the laundry room only a few feet away- 7yr old walked with me because I couldn't trust him not to run and jump in the big pool. LOL). And she didn't like it either (the oldest)- she sat in the kiddie pool and it didn't even cover her thighs (and she's thin) LOL

To be fair the youngest turned 5 during this trip but she's a SHORT 5yr old... I can't even imagine how she'd drown in this pool. She'd HAVE to be knocked unconscious and fall face down or or pushed over and go unconscious when she landed face first. If she landed on her back- she'd still have her mouth out of the water it's so shallow (and okay, my kids have big heads LOL)

How did this happen with a 4yr old in a kiddie pool so shallow? Yes, I know you can drown in a tblsp of water/etc.- but usually 4yr olds aren't like babies just learning to walk and topple over in the water or whatnot. Yanno? This seems really strange to me unless the GF kiddie pool is deeper. If it was in the kiddie pool- surely something had to happen to knock him unconscious for him to be laying there face first. Even a baby who knew how to crawl could get up on their hands/knees (like my 6mo old nephew for instance) and have his head out of the water -since it's so shallow. I'm baffled.... unless he passed out or fainted or something. Maybe from heat?

I'd be LIVID to hear about a 10yr old watching a 4yr old in a bigger pool- but a shallow kiddie pool? Well maybe she left him to watch the child too long since it was said that he left then came back... for him to have time to do that- the parents weren't around for awhile....

(ps. My older two are excellent swimmers - they've spent a lot of time in the water in the hot summers here in Texas since birth- and the youngest is learning pretty quick recently as well. She took longer to learn because she didn't like her face wet for so long. LOL She's getting over that now though. I went on our last trip with just the kids and me... and it was a lot harder without DH but I stayed IN the pool the entire time with them- my butt never sat on a chair the entire time we were there 10 days swimming almost every day, hands and eyes on youngest at all times- and she had to wear the lifevest I rented from the resort the entire time... but still watched my older two like hawks even though they are excellent swimmers. But I guess at some point during that time something COULD have happened- like hitting their head on the wall under water and going unconscious or something. But there are lifeguards there and they seemed very attentive to the kids in the pool the entire time and I never kept my eyes off them long especially when I saw they were doing their "underwater flip tricks". LOL I guess never say never... I'm lucky nothing happened. But I still can't see how a 4yr old could almost drown in a kiddie pool so shallow!)

 

[bigbabyblues]

OK don't flame me here, but where were his PARENTS???? No mention of them...

I was wondering the same thing. I think that it's my responsibility to watch my kids at the pool, whether there are lifeguards present or not, and I think other parents should do the same.

I'm glad he's ok though, how scary.

 

[talicskai]

My 5 year old stepdaughter and 8 year old stepson not only are seasoned swimmers, but they also dive off the 3 meter (the higher diving board) as well. I insisted when I met my hubbie that the children learn how to swim. They were 2 and 5 at the time. He had never thought about teaching them how to swim. We got them into group lessons and then into private lessons until they could swim the entire length of the pool (50 yards) without any problems and tread water for at least 5 minutes. I can't imagine having a kid and not having teaching them how to swim.

In Ontario (Canada) the government is looking at making swimming lessons part of the school curriculum. We have had a rash of drowning already this summer and it is frightening how many children do not know how to swim.

Teresa

 

[Anim8ed]

Just my 2 cents

Each of us has to take responsibility for our own. Lifeguards should be thought of as merely a back-up if needed.

Yeah, but what would then happen to our overly litigious society? Think of all the lawyers out of work! Courtrooms without booked schedules! Stenographers on food stamps! Gavels serving merely as dust collectors! Dogs and cats living together!

 

[tiggersthebest]

I know I am repeating what others have said but parents need to be responsible with children. The other day I was at our local pool with DD14 months and my husband had DD5 in the big pool while I stayed in baby pool. A mother was complaining that she was required to stay in baby pool with 2 year old daughter because she thought nothing could go wrong in 5 inches of water and they shouldn't bother with a lifeguard!!! All could do was stare! Some parents have that nothing could happen to me attitude that I see so often in the students I teach. For those of you that are diligent, keep up the good work!

One month from tomorrow we'll be checking into POR!!! for baby's first trip to Disney

 

[LoveWDW]

I took my toddlers to a pool at the local college for Mom and me swim lessons. The little ones (3 and under) were taught to move through the water.

Concerning why people want to hear about deaths at WDW (in addition to happy experiences), I want to know why someone died. If the person didn't drink enough water, if the person had heat stroke, if the person had some heart problem,.. knowing the cause will help me take what actions I can, if any, to prevent problems happening to my family- making sure they drink more water, for example, or rest during the day. I am very sorry for the gentleman who died and for his family, may they be comforted.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Yeah, but what would then happen to our overly litigious society?

We'd become...Japan!!!!! Lawsuits are as American as Mom & apple pie!

 

[mom22boys]

In Ontario (Canada) the government is looking at making swimming lessons part of the school curriculum. We have had a rash of drowning already this summer and it is frightening how many children do not know how to swim.

Teresa

I grew up in Pennsylvania and at my high school being able to swim was a graduation requirement. Thankfully, my parents had me in swim lessons since I was little, so it wasn't that big of a deal. We had to be able to swim the length of the pool, and we had to be able to float for 25 minutes.

We were also taught safety lessons. We were taught how to make a t-shirt into a life vest, as well as how to make a pair of pants into a life vest. I honestly think this was one of the most important things I learned in high school!

 

[rileyroosmom]

Just remember, many news reports leave out all the little details, sometimes makes for a better story. The parents (or maybe one of them) may have been nearby, one of you reported the mother was there at the time of CPR hysterical. Don't be so quick to judge until all the facts are given.
As others have said, it can happen in a blink of an eye because I've had a few close calls myself.
THe first time we were in an inground pool with about 10 adults, sitting on the steps and standing in the shallow end. My dd3 was with us. Suddenly my brother in law jumped forward and reached under and pulled up my son from under the water! He just slipped under w/o anyone noticing in arms reach of at least 10 adults.
The second incident was my other dd3 was in our above ground pool wearing a tube. I was sitting on the deck watching him. In the blink of an eye he had slipped through the tube and was under water. I jumped in to pull him out.
Last one (God, I sound like a terrible mom, but it just makes the point how quickly and easily things happen) I was siiting on the steps of our clubs pool with my dd4 (who didn't have on wings because we were on the steps) and she was walking up and down the steps. She went one step too far and was under the water. I was literally watching her struggle under the water. I pulled her up immediately but it was scary.

My point is, don't judge too hard. I was there all 3 time and it happens so suddenly. Thank goodness someone was able to rescue him.

 

[TDC Nala]

If it's posted clearly at the pool that there are no lifeguards on duty at certain times, are there still liability issues?

 

[Uncleromulus]

I think by now some lawyer would have found one and ,if they had, each and every pool would have lifeguards--. But since so many pools don't have lifeguards, it makes me think that if it is posted there are no lifeguards (or some other wording to indicate that swimming is at your own risk)--it's just that -you swim at your own risk.

 

[TZMOM]

OMG Drew Rosenhaus?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Not much to like about that guy & his tactics, glad to see that there's a heart in there somewhere. Wonder if he asked the parents for a "saving" bonus of 16 mil?

 

[Luv2Roam]

DancingBear posted on the Rumors and News Board:
"According to the story, the child's 10-year old brother was apparently left in charge of the youngster and left him unattended in the baby pool."