6-year-old Boy Nearly Drowns in Irvine Swimming Pool Accident
A 6-year-old boy was injured after he nearly drowned in an Irvine swimming pool accident. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, Orange County Fire Authority officials responded to a community swimming pool near the intersection of Dovecreek and Royal Oak the afternoon of May 12, 2013.
Witnesses told officials that the boy had been swimming with several other children when someone noticed he was not moving and pulled him out of the water. An off-duty nurse who was nearby began CPR on the boy and was able to get him breathing again before paramedics arrived. The boy was transported to a local hospital for observation.
One day before this incident, officials responded to the near-drowning of a 37-year-old woman in Irvine. In that case, officials found that the woman was not breathing and did not have a pulse, but were able to resuscitate her. Officials say so far, seven near-drowning incidents have been reported in Orange County just within the past two weeks and that the Fire Authority will hold a press conference to address the important issue of drowning prevention before June when the summer swimming season begins.
The Danger of Near-Drowning
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 years old and younger. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for near-drowning injuries. More than 50 percent of drowning victims treated in emergency department require hospitalization for further care.
These nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that could result in long-term disabilities such as memory issues and learning disabilities. Often, the victim suffers permanent loss of functioning, which means that he or she remains in a permanent vegetative state.
Preventing Swimming Pool Accidents
When it comes to swimming pool accidents, supervision is key. Based on this news report, it is unclear if the boy was supervised. Was there a lifeguard at this community swimming pool? If not, were there signs posted to indicate that no lifeguards will be available to supervise children? Parents of young children must be extremely vigilant when it comes to supervising their little swimmers. Even a few seconds of inattention can prove catastrophic.
If the swimming pool accident was caused by the negligence of a caregiver, daycare program or lifeguard, it is important to protect your rights by contacting an experienced Orange County personal injury lawyer who has successfully handled swimming pool accident cases.