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Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

spotthedrowningchild.com

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Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#121

Post by namelosw »

_ph_ wrote: post #89

I am impressed by these videos any time the pop up on hacker news. But one thing struck me: that they are using those large floatation rings. A lot of the incidents seem to be where a child looses contact to the ring and then cannot swim on itself. I am wondering, why they are allowed at all. In my personal experience, I have rarely seen such rings in public pools and that basically means, you are not getting far int…

I noticed that too. The last try was the kid try to grab the ring in a hurry, but the ring is too big to grab he actually pushed it away. Seem to be really dangerous.

Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#122

Post by lonelappde »

econcon wrote: post #109
minimonk wrote: post #36

One of the important lessons I learnt from a lifeguard is that movies depict a very inaccurate representation of drowning. The movies would have you believe that drowning is a violent and noisy event when in reality it is an inconspicuous and silent event. The victim cannot shout or call for help when they are struggling to keep their nose above the water level. Another important lesson I learnt that sometimes when s…

I never learned to swim. At age 14 I felt like someone pushed me into the river at noon time, sun was very bright and there was no one there but me catching fishes alone, I fell right into the river. I didn't drown I figured out how to swim out of instinct - I wonder how common it is. This is one of the least things shown in movies that some people can end up swimming on their own without having previously learnt it.

Where did the pusher go?

Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#123

Post by falcolas »

Nasrudith wrote: post #106
_ph_ wrote: post #89

I am impressed by these videos any time the pop up on hacker news. But one thing struck me: that they are using those large floatation rings. A lot of the incidents seem to be where a child looses contact to the ring and then cannot swim on itself. I am wondering, why they are allowed at all. In my personal experience, I have rarely seen such rings in public pools and that basically means, you are not getting far int…

Part of the reason for floatation devices is a transitionary measure to get them more used to and practiced in "preswimming" while participating and not simply wading or pool side clinging. They are just often misused - you are supposed to be supervising them when they are in the pool period and they only need deep enough water to keep their feet off the ground.

Personal opinion, based off my own experience and teaching other children how to swim:

Flotation devices have no part to play in teaching how to swim. Parents (or teachers) holding their children and teaching them how to float is step 1. Only after the child can handle themselves in water (float, know when to breathe) should they be playing with flotation devices.

Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#124

Post by Munksgaard »

How come no one has commented on the fact that most of these videos include someone falling off an inflatable ring in the "deep end" of the pool while having virtually no swimming skills. It seems like a no-brainer to me that it's a bad idea to float out on a ring if you can't swim. Is that really common?

Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#126

Post by alistairSH »

_ph_ wrote: post #89

I am impressed by these videos any time the pop up on hacker news. But one thing struck me: that they are using those large floatation rings. A lot of the incidents seem to be where a child looses contact to the ring and then cannot swim on itself. I am wondering, why they are allowed at all. In my personal experience, I have rarely seen such rings in public pools and that basically means, you are not getting far int…

Many of these samples are also in a wave pool. And crowded. I assume with all of the above, drowning risk is much higher in these pools.

It's a shame that swimming/water survival aren't a part of school in the US. Knowing how to tread water and doggy paddle are valuable, life-saving skills.

Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#127

Post by young_unixer »

cVwEq wrote: post #60
conistonwater wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there still water in their lungs? Why doesn't it get coughed out once they are out of the water?

"Secondary drowning" is another term people use to describe another drowning complication. It happens if water gets into the lungs. There, it can irritate the lungs’ lining and fluid can build up, causing a condition called pulmonary edema. You’d likely notice your child having trouble breathing right away, and it might get worse over the next 24 hours. Both events are very rare. They make up only 1%-2% of all drowni…

1%-2% doesn't seem "very rare" to me.

Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#128

Post by emacsen »

falcolas wrote: post #123
Nasrudith wrote: post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Part of the reason for floatation devices is a transitionary measure to get them more used to and practiced in "preswimming" while participating and not simply wading or pool side clinging. They are just often misused - you are supposed to be supervising them when they are in the pool period and they only need deep enough water to keep their feet off the ground.

Personal opinion, based off my own experience and teaching other children how to swim: Flotation devices have no part to play in teaching how to swim. Parents (or teachers) holding their children and teaching them how to float is step 1. Only after the child can handle themselves in water (float, know when to breathe) should they be playing with flotation devices.

I agree with this. I was very late to learn how to swim and only learned finally at around age 10.

Previous attempts to teach me to swim used flotation devices. Without them, I was terrified of drowning.

A very smart swimming teacher, seeing my fear, taught me to float on my back, first with her assistance, then without it. Once I could float, she taught me to swim backwards, froggy style. I was afraid even about that, but she said "If you ever find yourself unable to swim, just float!" and I felt confident to do that.

From there, I was comfortable swimming on my front, because once again, I knew how to go on my back and float!

Then the rest was simple skill acquisition.

30 years later, I wish I knew the name of that swim instructor!

Re: Spot the Drowning Child (2015)

#129

Post by iamthepieman »

My kids wear type III PFD's until they pass their level 3 swim class. If I am swimming actively with them in close proximity they may go without. If I'm on the shore/side of the pool though, they have their PFD on. Armbands and toy flotation rings are not safety devices. Although me and my family love the water in all forms, going to the pool, lake or ocean is always a little stressful for me. I cannot have a thoughtful discussion with someone while my kids are swimming as my head is always on a swivel and my attention is 95% on the water. I will call my kids in periodically so I can take a break from the constant attention required. We do most of our swimming at lakes and ponds. At the pool, I will allow myself a little less focus since there are lifeguards. Fortunately I only have one left that needs to pass her level 3's.
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