I’ll never forget the day my son almost drowned. It was exactly 1 year ago from today. We had been at a private swimming pool, there were 4 adults there that day along with my 4 children. Somehow when there are more adults around, I feel more comfortable, but really I think everyone assumes someone else is watching.
(This photo taken 7/7/2010 at his first swim lesson for this year, he did amazing, much better than I did actually, I was on the edge of my seat the entire lesson.)
We were getting ready to leave the pool that day and everyone was getting out. My son was playing on the steps and I was changing the baby’s clothes and not paying attention. The next thing I realized my daughter was yelling “MOM! MOM!” she was also yelling her brother’s name. When I looked up, she had her floaty in one arm and our son in the other and was swimming as fast as she could back to the edge.
Thankfully my mom was quick to yank him out but he was already blue and non-responsive. My heart dropped as I saw his little lifeless body lay there on the concrete. I froze, just couldn’t believe my eyes. Thankfully my mom was quick to turn him to his side and pat his back, he immediately started throwing up, which lasted for what seemed an eternity. He had soiled himself and had petechia all around his eyes, face and throat, but he was breathing, my sweet baby was breathing.
Unfortunately the teenage lifeguards on duty were of no help what-so-ever and advised us to take him home to rest. On the way home, he started crying his stomach hurt so we decided to go to the ER. Praise God for that decision because when we got there his lungs had water in them, they scolded me for not calling 911 and rushed him into for oxygen. If we’d have gone home that day he would have surely died in his sleep.
Later after talking with our son, he said he had slipped off the bottom step and couldn’t reach, in an attempt to get back to the steps he had actually floated out towards the middle of the pool. He said he put his hands up in the air hoping someone would see him, and praise God, our daughter did. She said she saw his hair floating, but he wasn’t moving, so she grabbed him. Our 6 year old daughter saved our son’s life.
So why am I writing this horrific post? Two reasons:
FIRST: Be AWARE! Drowning doesn’t always look like drowning!
No matter what the amount of water your children are playing in, keep a close eye on them. I now stay in the water at all times with them. We stay together and get out together. And I don’t rely on lifeguards to watch my children, the lifeguard that day didn’t even notice my son drowning, and my mom had revived him before the lifeguard even got over to us, even though we were yelling at him like crazy. Finally, be informed! The lifeguard that day told us to go home. If this happens to your child NEVER go home! According to our pediatrician if there is ever a restriction of the airway of any kind i.e., choking, drowning ALWAYS GO TO THE ER IMMEDIATELY. And if it is a near drowning like my son’s it is best to call 911 rather than drive them yourself.
SECOND: The second reason for this post is to admit my own feelings of guilt. I’ve never fully forgiven myself for this incident. I can go on and on about what I could have done, but that’s not really relying on God, that’s me trying to carry my own burden. I’m still not sure how to let go of this except through continued prayer, so that’s where you’ll find me today, giving prayer and thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father for looking after his children.
Timely as God is, I received this devotion from Alpha Omega Homeschooling:
I’ll never forget the day my son almost drowned….read more.
If you’ve had a tragedy in your home and struggle with forgiving yourself, God knows your pain. Being a homeschooling parent doesn’t mean you can protect your child from every physical bump and bruise. Accidents happen, and many times there aren’t any good reasons or answers to explain them. Only God knows what each day will bring, but praise the Lord that even when bad things happen, He is still able to turn them around for good. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Lord, I can’t see the good in this situation right now, and I feel like it’s all my fault. Please, help me to forgive myself and trust that somehow, You will make sense of this problem. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ALWAYS keep an eye on your children when they are swimming, drowning can happen in an instant.
Now, pull yourself up by the bootstraps, take your kids to the pool and have a safe and fun summer.
Wow, so scary Erica! Thank God your daughter saw him! Thanks for sharing and reminding us to be so careful! It only takes a second for something so tragic to happen.
Thanks for the reminder. and for sharing such a difficult moment for you. I'm wiping away tears after reading your account. So glad your story ended well. May God lift your guilt.
Hello! Thank you for writing this post that must have been very hard to write. And we're so glad the Daily Focus was able to bless you as well.Thanks again for sharing your heart.Ryan from Alpha Omega Publications
Thank you all for your support. I'm amazed at how many others have gone through this! We're having a little celebration for our son being alive tonight and our daughter for being a hero!
Thank you for your honesty! What a horrible experience. I am a freak around water. I always have that fear that I thought someone else was watching and they thought I was watching so I'm totally stressed when I'm there and have three little ones who can't swim to look after. It's hard not to let my fear keep us away from the pool all together! And, I sure don't want the kids to be frightened of the water because of me. So, we go and I feel like I'm on high alert the whole time! Thanks for the reminder to be cautious and trust the Lord to carry these burdens.
Thank you for this reminder. Contrary to what some may think, drowning is often a very silent act and can happen quite quickly.I am shocked by the reaction of the lifeguards. My daughter is on a USA swim team and most of the older children are lifeguards. The pools where they practice all have strict guidelines to follow in the event of ANY kind of injury at the pool. The lack of such guidelines at the pool you discussed is unacceptable. Lastly, I think you gave all parents a very good reminder that their children's safety is ultimately THEIR responsibility even when lifeguards are present. Public swimming pools in the summer are often overcrowded and not all have strict safety guidelines. I know the rec. center near our home requires a parent to be in the water within arm's reach of any non-swimmer. Samantha
I read you every day but don't always stop to comment. I just want to say what a blessing your blog is to me (and your printables are to my kids) I have had two kids fall into pools and a son get caught in a rip tide at the beach. We were right there for all the events but even in split seconds kids can inhale water! It is so true…more adults usually means less safety. Tank you for the story and reminder. Keep up the wonerful work here and know you are touching mom's and families.
I too am a daily reader but seldom comment. This post really spoke to my heart, I know it must of been difficult for you to write!I am so sorry that your family, your son, had to go through this experience. But I truly appreciate you sharing it with us as it is a great reminder!Blessings
Thank you for this post. This post has me in tears. I can totally relate to this situation because this Friday, August 13th, my son will turn one and on the 14th we will celebrate the fact that God spared his life one year ago when he was only one day old. I do am dealing with some guilt because my son started chocking on some colostrum that was stuck in his throat because I didn't burp him well enough. I remember holding his little lifeless body praying and begging God to save the life of my one day old baby…my 3rd child and my 1st son. My mother was able to get the glob of milk out of his mouth and was finally able to get him to breathe again after being out for about 2 minutes. My husband still prays that he will be ok from the lack of oxygen and able to learn about God and teach others but I know that he is a perfectly amazing little boy that has no problem with learning. Praise God for that. Anyway, as this day approaches I feel my heart reliving it all again and praises God for every minute he has given me with my sweet son this year.Thanks again for this post. Sometimes us moms share so much more in common than we ever know and it's good to share these stories to open up ourselves to others and let them learn from our lives. Thanks!
Wow,I would have been terrified! Thank God your daughter saw him! I have always been scared of the water,so I am extra careful when mine are in water,even the bath tub. Thank you for sharing and will be praying for you!