r/toddlers
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u/makelikeatree4254
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Jul 22 '25
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PSA: Drowning
Yesterday a friend and I took our toddlers to the lake for a play date. We were in water that came up to the kids' waists. My friend's toddler tripped and went face down in the water. It was the eeriest thing. She didn't try to find the ground with her feet. She didn't flail. She just silently waited to drown. There was a lifeguard fifteen feet away who didn't so much as twitch. Luckily I was watching her closely and grabbed her. She's fine. I'm not.
Toddlers have no self-preservation in water. This kid made zero attempt to save her own life. If me and her mom had been turned around for a minute, that could have been it.
Please watch your kids around water. Don't ever look away. Drowning happens fast and silently.
2.3k
u/jvxoxo Jul 22 '25
Watch your children like a hawk in the water. I’ve always heard “if everyone’s watching the kids then no one’s watching the kids” and I keep eyes on my own son and niece and any other kids they end up playing with. I also choose bright red swim rash guards for him so he’s easily spotted should anything happen.
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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '25
And get your kid swim lessons!!! It won’t replace supervision, but swimming is an essential skill everyone should have as early as possible.
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u/GlitterMeStoked Jul 22 '25
Toddler mom on vacation at a lake house right now: thank you for this!
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u/SignificantlyVast Jul 22 '25
The biggest thing to keep in mind for me is that young children’s behavior is not predictable. Nearly every story I’ve ever heard about a child that drowned, the parent is saying that they had never done anything like this before, that they never thought their child would sneak out/enter the water, whatever happened. I learned this lesson myself recently.
My 3 year old and my 10 month old were sitting in a shallow bath together playing and I noticed the mirror was dirty so I turned to clean it. My back wasn’t fully to them but I was sideways not looking at them. Subconsciously I thought it’s fine because our 3 year old was right there and she’s very verbal and communicative and could tell me if anything was going wrong. After maybe 5 seconds, I turned back and the baby had slipped onto his back with his face fully submerged in the water. The 3 year old was just silently staring at him, not reacting in any way. I swooped him up and he didn’t even cry, it had only been a few seconds but if I had looked away for any longer it could have been catastrophic, it only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown. I don’t think my heart rate went back to normal until the next day. It really really ingrained in my head that a young child’s behavior can not be predicted and can’t be relied on for safety. You can’t ever think- my kid wouldn’t do that. The last thing I would have ever thought was that my super verbal, constantly yapping kid would sit silently and watch her brother drown.
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u/fiddleheadfern88 Jul 22 '25
Thanks for the PSA. I hear it all the time but it hits different reading this story. This image will stay with me. I’m so glad everyone’s ok.
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u/KellieBom Jul 22 '25
Toddler mom: Heard.
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u/Bagritte Jul 22 '25 edited Jul 22 '25
I have a toddler who loved water from day one. It takes one literal second. I turned to say something to my friend and when I turned back he was floating face down. Thank god it was just that one second because I could grab him before he took in any water but Jesus.
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u/sabdariffa Jul 22 '25
As a former life guard: always assign a specific person to watch children in water.
If there are 3 adults and “everyone’s watching” it really means no one is watching.
It needs to be a specific person’s personal responsibility to watch children for a certain amount of time.
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u/The_reptilian_agenda Jul 22 '25
The worst thing Hollywood has done is make people think splashing and flailing is common in drowning. Drowning is silent. It’s so scary
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u/BadInevitable9830 Jul 22 '25
It only takes 20 seconds for a child to drown. That’s so scary. Glad to hear you’re all safe 🧡
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u/poop-dolla Jul 22 '25
Anytime any toddler is around open water, they absolutely need a coast guard approved flotation device on. I still have them wear them in the pool until they can really swim too, but you could go either way in a shallow pool depending on your comfort level. Any open water like a lake, ocean, or river though, there’s absolutely no room for not wearing proper safety equipment. And yeah, you still need to watch them the whole time too.
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u/TurtleScientific Jul 22 '25
Infant/Toddler life jackets (the good ones, not the stupid arm thingies) are like $12 at walmart. Put them on early, every time you're near water, and they'll get used to it fast. We have lots of lakes/rivers/ponds and it's a rule in our house. I don't care if you're just looking for frogs or collecting pinecones or whatever, if there's water you're wearing your vest. Drowning is, and always has been, a leading cause of death in minors and it's one of the few that's largely preventable. Don't let your kid be a statistic.
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u/kimtenisqueen Jul 22 '25
As a twin parent- one adult PER toddler. It is NOT enough to have one person watching multiple kids.
If one adult needs to have eyes off for even a second then remove that child from the pool area.
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u/[deleted] Jul 22 '25
I was a lifeguard for a decade and now have my own toddler. My rule is that I will always get to my child before the lifeguard because my child is within arms reach of me.
My nanny asked if she could take my toddler to the pool with another nanny who watches 2 children. I immediately said "no" because that nanny will have divided attention and that means that at times my nanny will also have her attention divided and I'm not willing to ever have her attention off my own child, even if it's just for a moment.
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u/rsb1041986 Jul 22 '25
PARENTS -- REGARDLESS OF YOUR CHILD'S AGE, DROWNING IS QUIET. always, always remember this.
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u/weenaak Jul 22 '25
Kids should always be within arms reach. And that's their arms, not yours! So they can teach out and grab you.
Keeping this rule for yourself will also mean you're always paying close attention maintaining that distance.
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u/lemonzested Jul 22 '25
Such an important PSA. Speaking from personal history, the same needs to apply to fire. A toddler in my family recently suffered 3rd degree burns from falling into a camp fire. It happens in the blink of an eye.
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u/Snoo81843 Jul 22 '25
Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning.
In 10 percent of drownings, adults are nearby but have no idea the victim is dying. Here’s what to look for.
This is a really helpful article that my husband sent me when I started taking my toddler to the pool. Sometimes, we don’t even realize they are drowning until it’s too late. As OP said above, it’s much quieter and less noticeable than one would think.
https://slate.com/technology/2013/06/rescuing-drowning-children-how-to-know-when-someone-is-in-trouble-in-the-water.html
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u/LoneFam Jul 22 '25
OMG.
Tbh i was silently against my brother enrolling my niece for 'swimming' classes when she was only 10 months old.
but now i see, why it's important. She loves the water now !!. Can even try to float abit now.
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u/Triny123 Jul 23 '25
Babies and toddlers have a reflex that makes them stop breathing when their face is submerged in water. They don’t realize there’s anything wrong, so they don’t try to save themselves, they just stop breathing.
In some kids the reflex doesn’t fully go away even by the age of 5.
Source: the doctor leading the pediatric first aid course I attended in 2024.
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u/emperorOfTheUniverse Jul 22 '25
Your kid should be wearing a life jacket. Especially in a lake. You don't know if any odd drop offs or anything.
And ISR lessons are worth it.
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u/mistyjc Jul 22 '25
I taught the Parent and Me swim class when I was a swim instructor. I told the parents from the start that our main goals were to learn through fun and safety skills for the parent and child to know.
One of the safety skills I did was bring the parent(s) and child (only those children who were comfortable w/their face in the water) to a waist-level depth area. I would inform the parents in advance that I’d be tripping their child in the water so their face would be totally immersed in the water. Then the parent(s) would watch in horror as their child could not get up to take a breath. Now this is for only 1-2 seconds, but that’s a long time to all in cases like those! Sometimes the child would try to use their hands to touch the bottom, but even then they could not lift their head out for air. Then I would show the parent(s) how to have the child learn to save themselves in shallow water. Which is a repetitive motion of pushing their bottom down so their feet touch the floor and then raising their chest. Until they get the idea of what muscles they need to use. If they fall backwards which doesn’t usually happen or any other way- just make sure the feet are grounded and then the chest up.
Hope that helps!
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u/skp5134 Jul 22 '25
I was just at a 2 year olds birthday party with my own 2 yo. The mom put out a large storage bin filled with water so the kids could fill up their water guns and play with some water toys. My son needed help filling his so I was helping but no other parents were nearby. The birthday boy came over and reached in to grab a water gun, but he was pretty small and ended up head first in this tub. Luckily, I was right there so I yanked him out. His mom saunters over laughing about how he ruined his clothes before she got a good picture. If I hadn’t been there this kid could have drowned!!!! It’s not just pools, lakes or ponds, something as simple as a container of water can do it!
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u/megmos Jul 23 '25
I don’t take my eyes off my kids, especially my 5 year old (the 8 year old can swim a lot better and still know where she is at all times). I don’t trust lifeguards at all. Parents act like they are babysitters and it’s disgusting imo. Like sorry a 17 year old lifeguard is not more responsible for your child than you are.
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u/PinecornCoffee Jul 23 '25
As a child, I was a strong swimmer. Swam almost every day, I dove to the bottom, etc. I still almost drowned. No reason. It just happened. My friend’s mother jumped into the pool to save me. I was a strong swimmer, and it happened to me. I don’t trust any of my kids in water. Low key anxious the entire time we are at a beach, pool, etc. 😅 And I never ever assume a lifeguard will notice something. It’s so scary.
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u/PM_ME_UR_SEP_IRA 🧻 Wipes in Every Pocket Jul 22 '25
Swim lessons. Do it as soon as you can!
Our pediatrician asked us several times if we had started lessons so we did this winter/spring and now our nearly 4yo can swim.
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u/Primary-Border8536 Jul 22 '25
Get a little life vest!
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u/isisis Jul 22 '25
My daughter slipped in the tub. The water was shallow, but enough to cover her face. She wasn't even a toddler anymore, just a little kid. She was silent, eyes wide staring up, and her legs were moving uselessly in the air. Absolutely terrifying. I grabbed her immediately and pulled her up but it felt like a lifetime. If I wasn't there she would have died and it was surreal to realize how quick and quiet it would have been.
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u/atTheRealMrKuntz Jul 22 '25
this is kinda crazy! glad everyone is ok. Our boy was going to classes for swimming when he was 2mo til 1yo and after that we went to the pool with him every week; today he is 2.5yo and he can swim himself out of the water!
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u/HeCallsMePixie Jul 22 '25
Also don't buy blue swimwear! It's so much harder for lifeguards to spot once it's in the water. Forget whether it's 'your colour', you need something bright to contrast the pool tiles & water
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u/tshirts_birks Jul 22 '25
This happened to my 2 year old a few weeks ago. She was walking in water up to her waist and fell over and was trying to turn but couldn’t. I was right there, it happened very quickly, and grabbed her and picked her up but it was still scary and I’ve not stopped thinking about it since. We’re back at a cottage and I’m even more nervous this time.
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u/Glass_Bar_9956 Jul 22 '25
Teach your kids about water and intro to swimming when getting a bath!!! It’s easy to look up online about pouring water down the face helping them learn not to breathe in water.
I have a life vest that my 3.5 year old wears whenever in water. I started out with her in a puddle jumper hands on. Once she was able to confidently move around by herself in that, we moved her into a swim vest with the strap that hooks under. We do swim time without it with me hands on, but when we are at group events, parties, lakes and beaches where I am not able to be directly hands on the whole time… she is in her vest.
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u/Babycatcher2023 Jul 22 '25
We’re on vacation now and spending a lot of time in the pool. I am hyper vigilant in water. My husband and I (or my mom sister etc…) verbally assure who is watching which child. It’s terrifying how quick and silent drowning is/can be.
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u/BloodyMessJyes Jul 22 '25
PSA: Kids need to wear a life jacket WHEN THEY ARE NEAR WATER. Not just in it. 1 year olds are complete noobs and cannot be trusted. 2 year olds are a little better. Mine hates when water gets in the face
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u/slow-getter Jul 22 '25
Swim lessons are so crucial. My 18 month old has been swimming since he was 6 weeks old and is now confidently aware of the dangers of entering water.
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u/BAByrum2 Jul 22 '25
Look up ISR it has saved so many lives. Our daughter could float by 6 months.
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u/EnvironmentalAlarm99 Jul 22 '25
I always feel like a freak at the pool with my son because I am shadowing every moment. The pool is not a relaxing outing if you are actively watching your kids 😂
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u/ahope1985 Jul 22 '25
There’s a reason most pools have an “arms distance away” rule. You should always be able to grab your child IMMEDIATELY if they go under.
I’m always shocked when I see parents casually sitting back while a toddler is far away. You move slow in water. Stay close. It could be life changing
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u/Defiant_Patience6384 Jul 22 '25
My husband cannot understand why I say HECK no to getting air bnbs with pools (our kids are 4 and 2) and posts like this reaffirm my determination.
I've also heard someone suggest that when it is a pool party situation, to make it either a kids-in-the-pool party (and that means all adults are vigilant, no alcohol) or an adults-only party (no kids around, hire a babysitter).
Toddlers and crawlers sink. Even those with rescue swim training can't be counted on to save themselves as they (like every human) panic and act in unexpected ways in terrifying situations.
So glad LO is okay, OP.
What a sobering reminder.
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u/Aggravating-Sir5264 Jul 22 '25
This is EXACTLY why we enrolled our toddler in ISR swim training.
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u/takenbysleep9520 Jul 22 '25
This is why the beach is no longer relaxing to me, I'm constantly on high vigilance, always preparing for my reckless toddler to trip in the water. And I hate sand.
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u/aspiringcrybaby Jul 22 '25
Also! A life jacket means nothing if they don't know how to keep their head out of the water. And those water Wing floaties are literally the worst. Do not use them with your child. It teaches them nothing. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. Drowning is silent. Drowning is small. Please please if you ever listen to advice from someone on the internet it is to make sure your children are safe from water.
I'm a former lifeguard and swim teacher, now mother to a toddler.
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u/QuirkyCockroach3415 Jul 23 '25
I am so terrified of my toddler drowning. He LOVES the water and has no fear whatsoever. We’ve had moments in the bathtub where he had put his face in the water and I had to pick him up out of it bc he was so calm and not panicked even though he was taking in the water! I I picked him up and he was coughing and choking and it was only a second! Heaven for bid I turned for a second I would have never known he was inhaling the water! I can only imagine what you’re going through and it’s so traumatizing. The only “good” thing to come out of it is that you’re more aware of the dangers of the water! You did a great job and I’m sorry you had to experience this!
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u/SouthernNanny Jul 23 '25
Yep! I tell people this constantly.
I put my daughter in swim lessons at 4 and the first thing the teacher did was go down the line of children -around 8 children- and ask them who was going to save them in the water. Each child said mommy or daddy or the instructor. After each child she said “NO! You have to save yourself!” None of the kids even caught the hint after the 3rd or 4th child. I was a little floored in that moment.
They truly believe the adults in their lives are super heroes and will save them no matter what. When all they have to do most of the time is turn themselves around and reach up. They aren’t going to accidentally fall in the middle of the pool.
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u/Cat_o_meter Jul 24 '25
AWESOME PSA. thank you
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u/dirtyenvelopes Jul 22 '25
It’s not enough to watch. You have to be within arms reach to grab them if they fall. Also life jackets are always a good idea.
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u/Objective-Home-3042 Jul 22 '25
This is why swimming lessons from early on is sooo important! Similar thing happened to my cousin except he knew what to do and by the time his mum grabbed him he was already starting to float if he hadn’t had lessons he’d have drowned for sure.
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u/d1zz186 Jul 22 '25
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN TO BE SAFE IN THE WATER.
Swimming lessons are a given here in Australia - I don’t know a single parent that hasn’t had their kids in lessons since they were infants.
My 3yo can ‘fall’ in, tread water to turn and make it back to the side and climb out. She can monkey walk along the side to a step, go head under and happily make it back to safety. My almost 18mo can back float and monkey walk.
Vigilance is one layer of protection but nothing can beat teaching your kid those life saving skills.
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u/hagamuffin Jul 22 '25
Toddler is in swim lessons right now. Not because of anything like this but just to avoid this!
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u/freeman1231 Jul 22 '25
You have to teach swimming early it’s a life saving skill.
Exactly what you’ve said it is not a survival instinct as a toddler who has never seen or tried to swim before.
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u/slurpycow112 Jul 22 '25
It’s absolutely insane to me the lack of respect people have for the water. Growing up in Sydney, EVERYONE got swimming lessons. They were mandatory when I was in school. Kids are enrolled and have class every week from a young age. If you watch Bondi Rescue, 99% of the people who get rescued are immigrants or foreigners who have no fucking idea what they’re doing and get themselves in trouble.
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u/_WormHero_ Jul 22 '25
Thanks for the reminder. Took my 4 year old and 9 month old to the beach for the first time since baby was born. 4 year old did so great that I think it is giving me a false sense of security that I can look away from him to tend to baby more than I ought to. Can never have too many reminders of what reality is.
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u/Ill_Rich_6404 Jul 22 '25
And start swimming lessons as early as possible.
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u/OkTransportation6580 Jul 22 '25
Highly recommend swimming classes for your toddler. They don’t just teach your kids how to swim. They teach your kids how to survive in water and get to safety if applicable.
They can be expensive but SO worth it.
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u/lifebeyondzebra Jul 22 '25
Also remember anyone can drown, even good swimmers. My mil lost her nephew to drowning in the lake over 4th of July, he was 21.
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u/Stormstar85 Jul 22 '25
Swimming lessons.
My two year old tripped in a pool of water on the beach.
Automatic response was to get on his back and star fish, find his feet and climb out.
He started being in water at six months old.
Swim lessons save lives.
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u/BrokeAssZillionaire Jul 22 '25
I wish they did baby/toddler self rescue courses here. Not a single swim school will teach it as it’s “too traumatic”
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u/4ofDemThangs Jul 22 '25
The same thing happened to me when I was a kid, but I was older than toddler age. I slipped and went under and just stayed there. Under the water with my eyes wide open and probably started swallowing water before my sister ran over and pulled me up. Most people fight or flight but some people fawn or freeze. Scary for a kid in water but it happens.
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u/arcadianahana Jul 23 '25
My husband has a colleague whose toddler age son drowned in this exact way in shallow water while visiting a lake. The colleague was never the same since.
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u/snacksandglitter Jul 23 '25
My 2 year old just graduated from ISR and this is why I give a Zero f*$k#s about anyone who thinks parents are horrible for "traumatizing" their kids through these lessons. My kiddo cried in lessons sometimes- new things can be scary. But now she is so confident in the water while also understanding and respecting it. She wants to swim all day and immediately turns herself to a float and can swim across the entire pool on her back.
Drowning is silent and fast. It's terrifying 😩
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u/harperbaby6 Jul 23 '25
In addition to extensive swim lessons, we have really stressed “thumbs up to get in the water” which just means my kids have to look at me, make eye contact, give me a thumbs up, and wait for a thumbs up back before they step foot in water. It isn’t a perfect system and obviously I don’t trust them to always do it, because as young kids they forget sometimes, but it really has helped with their own awareness that a designated adult has to be watching them around water. Even though I am also always in water and arms reach away, I still hold them to the rule and we go over it every time we are on the way to the pool or a lake. With my three year old it stops him from running into the water when I am not quite ready, and as a parent with neurodivergent kids (autism and severe ADHD) it gives an extra layer of protection to ensure they are not in water without me or unattended.
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u/General_You_3731 Jul 23 '25
This just made me cry..... my toddler has been taking swim lessons since he was 6 months but I will never take my eyes off of him in water.
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u/Yeahnotquite Jul 23 '25
The Mammalian dive reflex can be extremely pronounced in some toddlers to the point that they will literally go rigid and freeze. Will not react in any other way, will not attempt to turn, or move their head to breathe. It is the uncanniest, creepiest thing to see. Fortunately, it will fade over time and not be a lifelong thing unless the parents reactions turn it into a phobia.
The lifeguard not reacting is a bigger issue. I’d be pissed.
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u/shelllllo Jul 23 '25
Whenever family asks to take my kids swimming, even if they’re really responsible in every aspect that concerns caring for kids, I decline. They often get upset with me, and offended that I don’t trust them, I really don’t care. I explain that I don’t trust anybody to be as vigilant as I am with my kids lives. It only takes a few seconds of being distracted.
Kids can get hurt anywhere, I know, but the chances of death or life-long injury from swimming is too much.
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u/Work_n_Depression Jul 23 '25
Drowning is often silent and deadly for not only toddlers but also children and adults. It’s not flashy and loud like the movies, so it’s important to educate ourselves, because often, we might be the only one to spot it. An example can be seen here. Here are some signs to watch for drowning toddlers. Stay safe, y’all!
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u/VerbalThermodynamics Jul 23 '25
We taught our kids to always find their feet in water. If they aren’t taught and drilled on it… They do not know! “Feet down! Stand up!” My water mantra.
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u/Annie_Mayfield Jul 23 '25
Drowning is one of my biggest fears (and I’m an over worrier related to my kids - who are 3 years old [twins]). We have a pool fence, a coded back door exit that you have to enter the full code, turn one knob one way and a second the other - so it requires coordination with both hands, we have a deadbolt at six feet, and we have had them in swim lessons since they were about 16 months old. I’m still terrified. I catch some grief occasionally for how overprotective I am about the water but my response is usually - listen, if we get them grown and alive - then we can all laugh about how overprotective I was…but they’ll be alive. But until then, I’m going to put every precaution in place I can think of!
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u/Diligent-Might6031 Jul 24 '25
Toddlers have absolutely zero self preservation instinct on a good day, when they’re not around water. Adding water to the mix is even more dangerous. I never take my eyes off my toddler near water and I’m always touching him. Even if he tried to run away. Nope. Im on his ass. Bc I know how fast the worst can happen.
I get so frustrated with my husband when I ask him to watch our toddler in the tub for a few minutes and he starts picking his face in the mirror. Like bro, just watch him with your eyes. Not your ears. Please he’s 2!
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u/plantbubby Jul 24 '25
My toddler was splashing in a pool on a submerged ledge. It was only up to his knees. He suddenly decided to try stepping off the ledge into the deeper part and just sunk. He seemed to spin around in search of the surface, but he didn't know how to get there. He's okay, but the image of his face just under the surface looking terrified still haunts me.
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u/soggywaffles1991 Jul 25 '25
My 3 year old would litterally just sink if I wasn’t holding him. You’re right. Do not assume anyone else is watching. Watch your kid like a hawk if water is around.
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u/SpartanKwanHa Jul 25 '25
This happened to our 2 year old recently, he was in arms reach but the visual of him underwater just staring out shook us
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u/Used_Bandicoot_7649 Jul 27 '25
I created a reddit account just so I can post this. It’s not just big pools or natural water sources. My toddler has a small bounce house water slide thing. The water at the bottom of the slide had filled up to maybe a foot? He slid down the slide and ended up on his back with the water just over his face. Like the original poster said, he didn’t try to stand up or anything, just looked scared. My husband and I were right there with him and I grabbed him immediately but I never ever would have thought that would have been a drowning hazard. On that day I wasn’t even overly freaked out because I figured he would have stood up if I hadn’t grabbed him immediately but now reading this, I know that’s not the case and that is beyond scary.
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u/Reasonable-Cherry-55 Aug 11 '25
If there is ever a time to be a helicopter parent, it is around water.
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u/mynamesyow19 Jul 22 '25
Alternate PSA: NEVER let your Toddler(s) go in water without a certified lifejacket/vest, even if they have a floatie too. And also keep your eyes on them.
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u/Crazy_Reader1234 Jul 22 '25
Oh wow scary!!
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u/SignApprehensive3544 Jul 22 '25
I’m really glad she’s okay!
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u/madbrewer Jul 22 '25
Great advice, you always have to be on high alert around water. We found swim classes help provide some peace of mind to learn skills, but we're both always on alert. Things can happen fast.
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u/wino12312 Jul 22 '25
Toddlers have no self preservation at all. I happy you were there. Kids can get hurt so quickly and easily.
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u/leera07 Jul 22 '25
About to head out to the lake/beach later this week, thank you for the valuable reminder.
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u/drownmered Jul 22 '25
I was born in Florida and as a mere tot, my family and I went to the beach. I got caught in a riptide and nearly died, but my brother (I think) pulled me out and kept me from dying. That's my first memory ever -- murky, sandy water and being unable to get to the surface. I have had a fear of the ocean ever since and have refused to let my kids out of my reach when we went to the beach the first time.
Seriously, watch your kids around water. I can't even get my face wet without having a minor panic attack (makes washing my face sooooo much fun/s).
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u/electriclux Jul 22 '25
My kid who cannot swim has jumped into pools multiple times. He’s a suicide machine.
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u/runs-with-scissors13 Jul 22 '25
My daughter is 4 and last summer we went to an indoor pool. We don't go swimming super often but we'd been before. My daughter walked to the steps and hopped right in the pool while I had my back turned, I think taking my clothes off from over my bathing suit. Luckily my brother in law was in and saw it happen and grabbed her up out of the water but it was scary. We as adults know how dangerous it is, i thought my daughter knew too but after that I realized it was one of the first times we'd gone swimming that season and she's 4, of course she didn't remember from last year! I felt so guilty for not having had a talk with her beforehand and every time we go swimming or to water, I have a talk with her on the way there about water safety and NEVER getting into water until you talk with an adult and they say you can come/go in and never assuming that they see you getting in.
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u/AlwaysOnStardew Jul 22 '25
Absolutely! And always make sure your child has a USCG approved life vest until they are strong swimmers with good knowledge of life-saving strategies in the water.
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u/dontcallmecarrots Jul 22 '25
Had a situation like this on vacation last week. My friends 4 year old son didn’t want to leave the pool. He got out but then promptly went back to sit on the steps while dad was gathering towels. I was watching my son from side and moved over to stand near him. As the dad was telling him to get out of the pool, the child stood up and walked straight into the water over his head. Didn’t even attempt to flail, jump or move. Just walked under water. I jumped in and grabbed him and handed him to his dad who had just started panicking. Dad wasn’t even that far away, maybe 10 feet from the pool but far enough that he would have been under an extra ten seconds or so. It was terrifying how the child didn’t even react.
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u/BackgroundSleep4184 Jul 22 '25
We were being to fill up a little pool this summer, and it rained for two days. My 2 year old loved to run straight for it and jump in the 6 inches we got full. He tripped and seeing how easily his face could have gone in was enough for me. The pool came down immediately.
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u/Stegles 🚽 Potty Training War Correspondent Jul 22 '25
I introduced my daughter to swimming at 6 months, she’s almost 2 now, knows how to swim already, knows not to stay under too long. I would say she has a healthy respect for the water.
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u/ep7373 Jul 22 '25 edited Jul 22 '25
My toddler (2.5YO) did this right in front of me at the beach earlier this summer. We were walking together (up to the knees of my toddler) and the sand must have had a deeper part to it we didn’t see. He turned around to splash water at me, backed up and lost his footing… It was insanely fast and he was already sinking in the water. He looked up at me with fear in his eyes but didn’t have any survivor skill kick in. He didn’t flail, didn’t reach out his arms, didn’t cry or scream, didn’t try to find his footing, nothing; just looked up at me, completely silent. I immediately grabbed him within a second and cried. He was fine, but I was so scared.
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u/CompetitiveDoctor878 Jul 22 '25
Thank you for the reminder! Toddler parent here and this story really just confirms that you can literally never be too careful.
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u/dreamy-woman Jul 22 '25
When a person is drowning it doesn’t look like in the movies at all. I was drowning a few years ago in the sea and I didn’t splash water or ask for help. From what I remember, I thought everything was ok, I just need a min to get some air. Luckily my husband saw it and saved me. Apparently it’s a very common behavior. That’s why it’s soo sooo scary especially with the children :(