DROWNING DOESN'T LOOK LIKE DROWNING

[SilverEagle]

Sorry if this doesn't seem to belong in the Football forum, but I feel that it's too important to bury somewhere else. To me THIS IS A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE WHO SWIMS AND WHO TAKES THEIR KIDS SWIMMING.

http://health.heraldtribune.com/2013/06/17/drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning/

[HoustonEagle]

Good article Silver, thanks for posting

[LongJim]

GREAT article. Thanks for posting it.

[FirefightnRick]

Excellent read, and a must read for new parents.

Rick

[SilverEagle]

Excellent read, and a must read for new parents.

Rick

Totally agree, But I'm not a new parent, and I've been swimming for over 50 years and I was shocked (and frightened) at the information in the article.

[JesseMartin]

Yes, everyone please read. I've been a pretty strong swimmer since I was about 5 or 6, but when I was 11 (at church camp of all places) some older kids decided it would be funny to see how long they could keep me underwater since I fought back when they tried to dunk me. So each one had a limb until a kid from my class pulled one off of my leg and I could kick the other ones. The idiot lifeguard was about 10 feet away. When I got out I yelled at him and he said he thought we were just "playing". If they are friends of the assailants, these morons will let a kid drown rather than say or do anything about it. It's important to have multiple eyes on the pool at all times to avoid death.

Even if you don't get certified, I think every parent should take a basic CPR class (including basic water safety) if they haven't already. I took one about 20 years ago and remember everything I learned in it. To take it a step further, if you have small children and will ever be swimming (especially in the ocean but pools can be dangerous too), talk to a swimming or water polo coach about water conditioning exercises that can help you be extremely strong in the water if you ever need to swim someone, even a little one, to safety.

If you've never tried to swim with one or both arms occupied by another person, waiting until you need to isn't the time to test your swimming skills. It doesn't matter how big and strong you are out of the water; if you're in 6 or 7 feet of water and trying to tote someone else to safety, your 400-meter time or bench press aren't going to help.

Also be sure that your kids, even if they've learned to swim, learn some of the water safety information as well. There are plenty of times that kids will be with friends and borrow a suit and go swimming without parents' knowledge. Best to prepare them for the times you won't be around as well.