Re: O/T Everyone give your kiddos a huge hug!

[Guest guest]

I have to agree wholeheartedly. We had a scary even this weekend ourselves, with

my dd Addie, who is 2. First let me say that Addie is 2.5 years and CAN swim.

She has been in lessons for three summers now and knows how to jump in the

water, swim to the side, hold her breath, swim under water, float on her back,

etc. So, that said, we were at some friends house who have a pool and a spa

attached. We had Addie playing in the spa since it is basically a seat/step all

the way around, and probably 3 feet deep in the middle, but still lots of area

for her to play/swim without being too deep. There were also about 12 adults and

15 kids sitting on the deck by the side of the pool/swimming in the pool. She

had an innertube (circle/donut shaped blow up thingy) around her waist and was

standing on the seat/step in the spa. She decided to jump into the middle area

with this around her waist. Dh was supposed to be watching the kids, but had

turned his back for just a brief moment to take a drink out of his cup, which

was on the table next to him and non-alcoholic, lol. At that moment, when Addie

jumped, somehow she got flipped in the innertube and ended up in the water head

first, instead of feet first, now she was already in the water, not jumping from

outside or anything. Thank God a couple was watching her and saw her kicking her

little legs in the air with her head in the water and jumped in and grabbed her.

She was fine, but a little shook up. Got back in the water a few minutes later.

BUT, just wanted to warn that sometimes seemingly harmless water toys can be so

dangerous! Because we've always done swim lessons we've never used flotation

devices, such as the innertubes or water wings so we didn't realize they could

be so dangerous. We are definitely sticking to our rule about NOT using these in

the future! I guess the water wings could be ok, but they can give kids a false

sense of security too. Whew, we were a bit scared. Who knows what would have

happened if that couple hadn't seen her (they jumped in to get her with their

clothes on too.

BE CAREFUL AROUND WATER!!!!

Marcia

O/T Everyone give your kiddos a huge hug!

Sorry this is off topic, but last night I witnessed a scary event.

I was at swimming lessons with my son who is 3 1/2. At this pool,

they have like 10 swimming classes going on at the same time. In

the toddler pool, where we were, there were 3 different classes.

Anyway, a toddler was in about 1 foot of water where her feet all

the sudden kept slipping from underneath her. The teacher was with

another toddler at the time with her back to her so she didn't see

it happening. Anyway, the little girl was trying desperately to

grab hold of the side of the pool, because she was drowning and

struggling, and couldn't get her head above the water. Meanwhile,

the delayed reaction of the lifeguard, all the parents watching and

even her own mother was startling!!!! By the time the lifeguard

realized what was going on, there were about 4 parents on their way

to grabbing her, but the lifeguard jumped in the fastest and grabbed

her just in time! I was absolutely stoned. I couldn't move while

watching this whole thing. Which scares me even more, because what

if it was my kid? And believe me, I wasn't the only one completely

frozen during this event. Even the childs own mother was delayed in

her reaction. If this was my child, would I react faster? I almost

feel like we don't believe it is really happening and that is the

reason for the delayed reaction. But what if the lifeguard didn't

make it in time, or her own mother for that matter? It only takes

seconds, there is nooooooo time to think. This experience was a

true eye-opener for me. I truly hope that I would be able to react

faster without any hesitation whatsoever. And, by no fault to all

those who finally ran towards her, I think it is just human nature

to freeze, I don't know. And me, watching this experience, never

got up to run. I was just stone frozen. I feel somewhat guilty.

Anyway, not to bore you guys, but what I really want to say is

please be careful during these summer months when swimming and DON'T

EVER rely on life guards. Remember it only takes seconds for a

major catastrophe to happen. This was only 1 foot of water and it

could have been deadly!

We all love our kiddos and could never imagine something bad could

happen. Please don't be naive and keep eyes wide open while they

are swimming, no matter the age.

[Guest guest]

I have to agree wholeheartedly. We had a scary even this weekend ourselves, with

my dd Addie, who is 2. First let me say that Addie is 2.5 years and CAN swim.

She has been in lessons for three summers now and knows how to jump in the

water, swim to the side, hold her breath, swim under water, float on her back,

etc. So, that said, we were at some friends house who have a pool and a spa

attached. We had Addie playing in the spa since it is basically a seat/step all

the way around, and probably 3 feet deep in the middle, but still lots of area

for her to play/swim without being too deep. There were also about 12 adults and

15 kids sitting on the deck by the side of the pool/swimming in the pool. She

had an innertube (circle/donut shaped blow up thingy) around her waist and was

standing on the seat/step in the spa. She decided to jump into the middle area

with this around her waist. Dh was supposed to be watching the kids, but had

turned his back for just a brief moment to take a drink out of his cup, which

was on the table next to him and non-alcoholic, lol. At that moment, when Addie

jumped, somehow she got flipped in the innertube and ended up in the water head

first, instead of feet first, now she was already in the water, not jumping from

outside or anything. Thank God a couple was watching her and saw her kicking her

little legs in the air with her head in the water and jumped in and grabbed her.

She was fine, but a little shook up. Got back in the water a few minutes later.

BUT, just wanted to warn that sometimes seemingly harmless water toys can be so

dangerous! Because we've always done swim lessons we've never used flotation

devices, such as the innertubes or water wings so we didn't realize they could

be so dangerous. We are definitely sticking to our rule about NOT using these in

the future! I guess the water wings could be ok, but they can give kids a false

sense of security too. Whew, we were a bit scared. Who knows what would have

happened if that couple hadn't seen her (they jumped in to get her with their

clothes on too.

BE CAREFUL AROUND WATER!!!!

Marcia

O/T Everyone give your kiddos a huge hug!

Sorry this is off topic, but last night I witnessed a scary event.

I was at swimming lessons with my son who is 3 1/2. At this pool,

they have like 10 swimming classes going on at the same time. In

the toddler pool, where we were, there were 3 different classes.

Anyway, a toddler was in about 1 foot of water where her feet all

the sudden kept slipping from underneath her. The teacher was with

another toddler at the time with her back to her so she didn't see

it happening. Anyway, the little girl was trying desperately to

grab hold of the side of the pool, because she was drowning and

struggling, and couldn't get her head above the water. Meanwhile,

the delayed reaction of the lifeguard, all the parents watching and

even her own mother was startling!!!! By the time the lifeguard

realized what was going on, there were about 4 parents on their way

to grabbing her, but the lifeguard jumped in the fastest and grabbed

her just in time! I was absolutely stoned. I couldn't move while

watching this whole thing. Which scares me even more, because what

if it was my kid? And believe me, I wasn't the only one completely

frozen during this event. Even the childs own mother was delayed in

her reaction. If this was my child, would I react faster? I almost

feel like we don't believe it is really happening and that is the

reason for the delayed reaction. But what if the lifeguard didn't

make it in time, or her own mother for that matter? It only takes

seconds, there is nooooooo time to think. This experience was a

true eye-opener for me. I truly hope that I would be able to react

faster without any hesitation whatsoever. And, by no fault to all

those who finally ran towards her, I think it is just human nature

to freeze, I don't know. And me, watching this experience, never

got up to run. I was just stone frozen. I feel somewhat guilty.

Anyway, not to bore you guys, but what I really want to say is

please be careful during these summer months when swimming and DON'T

EVER rely on life guards. Remember it only takes seconds for a

major catastrophe to happen. This was only 1 foot of water and it

could have been deadly!

We all love our kiddos and could never imagine something bad could

happen. Please don't be naive and keep eyes wide open while they

are swimming, no matter the age.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing , that sounded like such a scary moment.

Collin's take swim lessons too usually a few times a year (there like

8 weeks at a time at the YMCA) he started at 9 months old and the

setup is similar with all the classes going on at the same time, etc.

I will deffiantly stay more alert and on my toes after reading your

post. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. We just bought one of

the easy set pools it is like an all in one package with the pool

ladder filter, etc. We bought it to get us by until we can afford a

permant fixture type pool, it is big like 18 feet round but not very

deep only like 3.5 feet. I will keep in mind what you said when ever

we are in it now, thank you.

Michele

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing , that sounded like such a scary moment.

Collin's take swim lessons too usually a few times a year (there like

8 weeks at a time at the YMCA) he started at 9 months old and the

setup is similar with all the classes going on at the same time, etc.

I will deffiantly stay more alert and on my toes after reading your

post. Thanks for bringing it to our attention. We just bought one of

the easy set pools it is like an all in one package with the pool

ladder filter, etc. We bought it to get us by until we can afford a

permant fixture type pool, it is big like 18 feet round but not very

deep only like 3.5 feet. I will keep in mind what you said when ever

we are in it now, thank you.

Michele

[Guest guest]

,

It is a very scary thing! I know what you mean about being stunned.

We were at Rachael's swim lessons a couple of years ago, I think she

was about 4 and all of the children were sitting on the edge of the

pool with their feet in and one of them decided to hop on in. The two

instructors had one kid each they were working with and the child who

jumped in was trying to keep his head up. I was standing there

pointing at the kid and trying to say something, but nothing would

come out. The teacher finally saw him and grabbed him, but it was

such a weird feeling to have nothing come out of my mouth.

Things happen so fast around water.

Louisa

> Sorry this is off topic, but last night I witnessed a scary event.

> I was at swimming lessons with my son who is 3 1/2. At this pool,

> they have like 10 swimming classes going on at the same time. In

> the toddler pool, where we were, there were 3 different classes.

> Anyway, a toddler was in about 1 foot of water where her feet all

> the sudden kept slipping from underneath her. The teacher was with

> another toddler at the time with her back to her so she didn't see

> it happening. Anyway, the little girl was trying desperately to

> grab hold of the side of the pool, because she was drowning and

> struggling, and couldn't get her head above the water. Meanwhile,

> the delayed reaction of the lifeguard, all the parents watching and

> even her own mother was startling!!!! By the time the lifeguard

> realized what was going on, there were about 4 parents on their way

> to grabbing her, but the lifeguard jumped in the fastest and

grabbed

> her just in time! I was absolutely stoned. I couldn't move while

> watching this whole thing. Which scares me even more, because what

> if it was my kid? And believe me, I wasn't the only one completely

> frozen during this event. Even the childs own mother was delayed

in

> her reaction. If this was my child, would I react faster? I

almost

> feel like we don't believe it is really happening and that is the

> reason for the delayed reaction. But what if the lifeguard didn't

> make it in time, or her own mother for that matter? It only takes

> seconds, there is nooooooo time to think. This experience was a

> true eye-opener for me. I truly hope that I would be able to react

> faster without any hesitation whatsoever. And, by no fault to all

> those who finally ran towards her, I think it is just human nature

> to freeze, I don't know. And me, watching this experience, never

> got up to run. I was just stone frozen. I feel somewhat guilty.

>

> Anyway, not to bore you guys, but what I really want to say is

> please be careful during these summer months when swimming and

DON'T

> EVER rely on life guards. Remember it only takes seconds for a

> major catastrophe to happen. This was only 1 foot of water and it

> could have been deadly!

>

> We all love our kiddos and could never imagine something bad could

> happen. Please don't be naive and keep eyes wide open while they

> are swimming, no matter the age.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I second that! Last year I joined the pool while pg, and my son

(just barely 2 at the time) was playing in the kiddie pool, maybe 1

foot deep. He had one of those life jacket/swim trainer things on,

and his feet slipped out from under him--instead of helping, he was

like a little turtle! He was floating, thanks to the life jacket,

but couldn't get his feet down to stand back up. So he just flapped

around there face down in the water for a few seconds before I

grabbed him. That was the end of that stupid thing! What's the point

of that? To keep his body at the top of the pool when he

drowns??!?!? Sheesh!!! Nothing can replace vigilant attention from

the mommy/daddy--not even a lifeguard (particularly the bored

teenager sitting not 8 feet from where my son was struggling and was

too busy looking at her fingernails to notice my drowning son)

, mommy of:

Guinevere, on & Ava

> I have to agree wholeheartedly. We had a scary even this weekend

ourselves, with my dd Addie, who is 2. First let me say that Addie

is 2.5 years and CAN swim. She has been in lessons for three summers

now and knows how to jump in the water, swim to the side, hold her

breath, swim under water, float on her back, etc. So, that said, we

were at some friends house who have a pool and a spa attached. We

had Addie playing in the spa since it is basically a seat/step all

the way around, and probably 3 feet deep in the middle, but still

lots of area for her to play/swim without being too deep. There were

also about 12 adults and 15 kids sitting on the deck by the side of

the pool/swimming in the pool. She had an innertube (circle/donut

shaped blow up thingy) around her waist and was standing on the

seat/step in the spa. She decided to jump into the middle area with

this around her waist. Dh was supposed to be watching the kids, but

had turned his back for just a brief moment to take a drink out of

his cup, which was on the table next to him and non-alcoholic, lol.

At that moment, when Addie jumped, somehow she got flipped in the

innertube and ended up in the water head first, instead of feet

first, now she was already in the water, not jumping from outside or

anything. Thank God a couple was watching her and saw her kicking

her little legs in the air with her head in the water and jumped in

and grabbed her. She was fine, but a little shook up. Got back in

the water a few minutes later. BUT, just wanted to warn that

sometimes seemingly harmless water toys can be so dangerous! Because

we've always done swim lessons we've never used flotation devices,

such as the innertubes or water wings so we didn't realize they

could be so dangerous. We are definitely sticking to our rule about

NOT using these in the future! I guess the water wings could be ok,

but they can give kids a false sense of security too. Whew, we were

a bit scared. Who knows what would have happened if that couple

hadn't seen her (they jumped in to get her with their clothes on too.

>

> BE CAREFUL AROUND WATER!!!!

>

> Marcia

> O/T Everyone give your kiddos a

huge hug!

>

>

> Sorry this is off topic, but last night I witnessed a scary

event.

> I was at swimming lessons with my son who is 3 1/2. At this

pool,

> they have like 10 swimming classes going on at the same time.

In

> the toddler pool, where we were, there were 3 different

classes.

> Anyway, a toddler was in about 1 foot of water where her feet

all

> the sudden kept slipping from underneath her. The teacher was

with

> another toddler at the time with her back to her so she didn't

see

> it happening. Anyway, the little girl was trying desperately to

> grab hold of the side of the pool, because she was drowning and

> struggling, and couldn't get her head above the water.

Meanwhile,

> the delayed reaction of the lifeguard, all the parents watching

and

> even her own mother was startling!!!! By the time the lifeguard

> realized what was going on, there were about 4 parents on their

way

> to grabbing her, but the lifeguard jumped in the fastest and

grabbed

> her just in time! I was absolutely stoned. I couldn't move

while

> watching this whole thing. Which scares me even more, because

what

> if it was my kid? And believe me, I wasn't the only one

completely

> frozen during this event. Even the childs own mother was

delayed in

> her reaction. If this was my child, would I react faster? I

almost

> feel like we don't believe it is really happening and that is

the

> reason for the delayed reaction. But what if the lifeguard

didn't

> make it in time, or her own mother for that matter? It only

takes

> seconds, there is nooooooo time to think. This experience was a

> true eye-opener for me. I truly hope that I would be able to

react

> faster without any hesitation whatsoever. And, by no fault to

all

> those who finally ran towards her, I think it is just human

nature

> to freeze, I don't know. And me, watching this experience,

never

> got up to run. I was just stone frozen. I feel somewhat guilty.

>

> Anyway, not to bore you guys, but what I really want to say is

> please be careful during these summer months when swimming and

DON'T

> EVER rely on life guards. Remember it only takes seconds for a

> major catastrophe to happen. This was only 1 foot of water and

it

> could have been deadly!

>

> We all love our kiddos and could never imagine something bad

could

> happen. Please don't be naive and keep eyes wide open while

they

> are swimming, no matter the age.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I second that! Last year I joined the pool while pg, and my son

(just barely 2 at the time) was playing in the kiddie pool, maybe 1

foot deep. He had one of those life jacket/swim trainer things on,

and his feet slipped out from under him--instead of helping, he was

like a little turtle! He was floating, thanks to the life jacket,

but couldn't get his feet down to stand back up. So he just flapped

around there face down in the water for a few seconds before I

grabbed him. That was the end of that stupid thing! What's the point

of that? To keep his body at the top of the pool when he

drowns??!?!? Sheesh!!! Nothing can replace vigilant attention from

the mommy/daddy--not even a lifeguard (particularly the bored

teenager sitting not 8 feet from where my son was struggling and was

too busy looking at her fingernails to notice my drowning son)

, mommy of:

Guinevere, on & Ava

> I have to agree wholeheartedly. We had a scary even this weekend

ourselves, with my dd Addie, who is 2. First let me say that Addie

is 2.5 years and CAN swim. She has been in lessons for three summers

now and knows how to jump in the water, swim to the side, hold her

breath, swim under water, float on her back, etc. So, that said, we

were at some friends house who have a pool and a spa attached. We

had Addie playing in the spa since it is basically a seat/step all

the way around, and probably 3 feet deep in the middle, but still

lots of area for her to play/swim without being too deep. There were

also about 12 adults and 15 kids sitting on the deck by the side of

the pool/swimming in the pool. She had an innertube (circle/donut

shaped blow up thingy) around her waist and was standing on the

seat/step in the spa. She decided to jump into the middle area with

this around her waist. Dh was supposed to be watching the kids, but

had turned his back for just a brief moment to take a drink out of

his cup, which was on the table next to him and non-alcoholic, lol.

At that moment, when Addie jumped, somehow she got flipped in the

innertube and ended up in the water head first, instead of feet

first, now she was already in the water, not jumping from outside or

anything. Thank God a couple was watching her and saw her kicking

her little legs in the air with her head in the water and jumped in

and grabbed her. She was fine, but a little shook up. Got back in

the water a few minutes later. BUT, just wanted to warn that

sometimes seemingly harmless water toys can be so dangerous! Because

we've always done swim lessons we've never used flotation devices,

such as the innertubes or water wings so we didn't realize they

could be so dangerous. We are definitely sticking to our rule about

NOT using these in the future! I guess the water wings could be ok,

but they can give kids a false sense of security too. Whew, we were

a bit scared. Who knows what would have happened if that couple

hadn't seen her (they jumped in to get her with their clothes on too.

>

> BE CAREFUL AROUND WATER!!!!

>

> Marcia

> O/T Everyone give your kiddos a

huge hug!

>

>

> Sorry this is off topic, but last night I witnessed a scary

event.

> I was at swimming lessons with my son who is 3 1/2. At this

pool,

> they have like 10 swimming classes going on at the same time.

In

> the toddler pool, where we were, there were 3 different

classes.

> Anyway, a toddler was in about 1 foot of water where her feet

all

> the sudden kept slipping from underneath her. The teacher was

with

> another toddler at the time with her back to her so she didn't

see

> it happening. Anyway, the little girl was trying desperately to

> grab hold of the side of the pool, because she was drowning and

> struggling, and couldn't get her head above the water.

Meanwhile,

> the delayed reaction of the lifeguard, all the parents watching

and

> even her own mother was startling!!!! By the time the lifeguard

> realized what was going on, there were about 4 parents on their

way

> to grabbing her, but the lifeguard jumped in the fastest and

grabbed

> her just in time! I was absolutely stoned. I couldn't move

while

> watching this whole thing. Which scares me even more, because

what

> if it was my kid? And believe me, I wasn't the only one

completely

> frozen during this event. Even the childs own mother was

delayed in

> her reaction. If this was my child, would I react faster? I

almost

> feel like we don't believe it is really happening and that is

the

> reason for the delayed reaction. But what if the lifeguard

didn't

> make it in time, or her own mother for that matter? It only

takes

> seconds, there is nooooooo time to think. This experience was a

> true eye-opener for me. I truly hope that I would be able to

react

> faster without any hesitation whatsoever. And, by no fault to

all

> those who finally ran towards her, I think it is just human

nature

> to freeze, I don't know. And me, watching this experience,

never

> got up to run. I was just stone frozen. I feel somewhat guilty.

>

> Anyway, not to bore you guys, but what I really want to say is

> please be careful during these summer months when swimming and

DON'T

> EVER rely on life guards. Remember it only takes seconds for a

> major catastrophe to happen. This was only 1 foot of water and

it

> could have been deadly!

>

> We all love our kiddos and could never imagine something bad

could

> happen. Please don't be naive and keep eyes wide open while

they

> are swimming, no matter the age.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Don't feel guilty. It's completely in our nature to let others act on our

behalf when in a large group. It's weird but studies have shown that seem to be

the pattern.. However, if you were on your own you would have acted without

hesitation. Scary though I know.

momshook2004 wrote:Sorry this is off topic, but last

night I witnessed a scary event.

I was at swimming lessons with my son who is 3 1/2. At this pool,

they have like 10 swimming classes going on at the same time. In

the toddler pool, where we were, there were 3 different classes.

Anyway, a toddler was in about 1 foot of water where her feet all

the sudden kept slipping from underneath her. The teacher was with

another toddler at the time with her back to her so she didn't see

it happening. Anyway, the little girl was trying desperately to

grab hold of the side of the pool, because she was drowning and

struggling, and couldn't get her head above the water. Meanwhile,

the delayed reaction of the lifeguard, all the parents watching and

even her own mother was startling!!!! By the time the lifeguard

realized what was going on, there were about 4 parents on their way

to grabbing her, but the lifeguard jumped in the fastest and grabbed

her just in time! I was absolutely stoned. I couldn't move while

watching this whole thing. Which scares me even more, because what

if it was my kid? And believe me, I wasn't the only one completely

frozen during this event. Even the childs own mother was delayed in

her reaction. If this was my child, would I react faster? I almost

feel like we don't believe it is really happening and that is the

reason for the delayed reaction. But what if the lifeguard didn't

make it in time, or her own mother for that matter? It only takes

seconds, there is nooooooo time to think. This experience was a

true eye-opener for me. I truly hope that I would be able to react

faster without any hesitation whatsoever. And, by no fault to all

those who finally ran towards her, I think it is just human nature

to freeze, I don't know. And me, watching this experience, never

got up to run. I was just stone frozen. I feel somewhat guilty.

Anyway, not to bore you guys, but what I really want to say is

please be careful during these summer months when swimming and DON'T

EVER rely on life guards. Remember it only takes seconds for a

major catastrophe to happen. This was only 1 foot of water and it

could have been deadly!

We all love our kiddos and could never imagine something bad could

happen. Please don't be naive and keep eyes wide open while they

are swimming, no matter the age.