Drowning Tragedies

[Cataholic]

Many of the drownings here are from simple things - like not wearing a life jacket!

Some are just sad accidents - many from people getting pulled down a river by a strong current earlier in the year (wait til all the runoff stops!)

And then there's the party/lots of booze/boat&water combo...almost a guarantee that someone will get, at the very least, hurt.

And, the simplest- not knowing how to swim/water safety.

[Daisy and Delilah]

I took swimming lessons three times. I failed miserably all three times. My siblings did great. I think I have a fear of water that hindered the process.

Thank goodness both of my kids can swim with ease. I wouldn't have rested if they had gone to swimming events, pool parties, etc. without knowing how to swim.
Now I have no desire to swim and I hope I never have to wish I had learned.

[Karen]

I took swimming lessons three times. I failed miserably all three times. My siblings did great. I think I have a fear of water that hindered the process.

Thank goodness both of my kids can swim with ease. I wouldn't have rested if they had gone to swimming events, pool parties, etc. without knowing how to swim.
Now I have no desire to swim and I hope I never have to wish I had learned.

As long as you wear a life jacket if you are ever on a boat, you should be safe. Sorry you had that fear of water, but I am sure that serves to keep you from venturing into pools in any case.

[Grace]

Growing up in Rhode Island, it was almost mandatory We were at the beach constantly in the summer - so I learned very early.

My grandsons were taken to swim classes around the age of 2. One is now 20, the other 18 and they both have been lifeguards at the Y, and given swim lessons to others.

Even if one swims well, when going out on a boat one should always have a life jacket - IMO.

[Taz_Zoee]

Our house had a pool so I had to learn. I took lessons as a child and then became a fish each summer.

While I know how to swim, when we go snorkeling I need a floatation device to hold me up while I look into the water. I panic putting my face in the water without being able to touch the bottom. I'm fine without my face in the water, I can tread water without a problem.

[pomtzu]

Yes - I swim. My father taught me first to float and then to swim in Narragansett Bay. He had a boat and had life preservers on board, but it was a must to be able to swim too. I can't say that I'm a strong swimmer, but I could more than likely save myself and even a child. Both my kids learned to swim early on, since we had a pool when they were growing up.

[lvpets2002]

My dad always said I should have been born a fish.. I have always loved water & could swim.. As a adult I got my Life Guard Certs.. However that does not excuse me from using a Life Jacket in certain waters.. Its always better safe than sorry..