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A Drowning Survivor's Message

By Liz Colvin

June 2024 Issue

pool

Swimming is a great sport that is fun and inviting for all ages. Whether you are a novice or not, swimming lessons and safety measures are valuable because even the best swimmers can drown. I know because I am a survivor.

One summer in West Texas at a graduation pool party without a lifeguard, I was swimming in the deep end of a 12-foot pool measuring my breath-holding time with my classmate. We often swam together at social functions; on this day, we were timing each other while diving for pennies. As darkness approached, like a big brother, Elbert motioned for me to ascend so we could join the party. I shook my head in defiance and chose to stay and watched his feet clear the ladder while I held my breath. I was determined to beat his last time (2:16). Silly me, right? After beating his time, I coasted toward the top. Suddenly, at the halfway point, I felt something or someone touch my ankle.

It was getting dark, and I panicked, frantically paddling my legs and arms simultaneously. Instead of rising, I sank. I felt a dull thud and saw nothing when I hit the bottom, then sensed the cool water fill my veins like a speeding locomotive. I could not move. My stomach hardened and my wide-open eyes were watching my demise, as I thought to myself: “This is what it's like to die.” Finally, with stiff limbs and a pounding heart, I surrendered to the condition and watched the sun fade through the blurry waves of my open tomb.

A purple haze of darkness would have been my last glimpse of the world until my classmate Elbert returned. He snatched me out of the water and tossed me against the outside wall of the pool. He walked away laughing as he thought I was playing around. After a huge gasp, I recaptured my breath and felt like a wounded soldier. I stood up. My legs were wobbly as I regained my composure. I walked into the party room, seeking an empty corner to shiver in silence. My mind raced through my last 18 years while mentally dissecting how to manage my newfound fear — drowning! Years later, I returned to the water, and the ordeal taught me to always respect its power. Forty years later, water safety is still my priority, and I do not swim alone.

Drowning is one of the world's leading causes of accidental death. An estimated 236,000 people worldwide lost their lives to drowning in 2019, according to the World Health Organization. Just over 50 percent of these deaths occurred among those under 30 years of age, and drowning is the sixth leading cause of death for children aged 5-14 years. In the U.S., Black children suffer significantly higher rates of drowning than other children.

There are approximately 25 million pools in the world, over 10 million pools in the United States, and 800,000 residential pools in Texas. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services states that 100 children ages 5-17 die by drownings in Texas each year. Of those who survive, many suffer debilitating illnesses because of the near-drowning event.

Many countries and states are implementing strong regulations. Switzerland has mandatory swim lessons for all children, and its drowning rate is 0.47 per 100,000. Over the past 10 years, fewer than 50 people have drowned in Switzerland annually. In the United States, the state with the fewest drownings is Connecticut, and Hawaii has the most.

In Texas, House Rep. Vikki Goodwin authored Cati's Act (HB 59), which is named for a child who drowned in 2019 while under the care of her summer camp. This act requires child-care providers to place a life jacket on children who cannot swim when the parent has indicated the child's inability to perform the task. The bill passed in 2023, and the details are being implemented.

Life jackets and swimming lessons are essential elements of water safety for several reasons. Swim lessons teach water safety skills, which are essential for preventing drowning accidents. Swimming also promotes physical development and improves coordination — factors that can also prevent drownings.

The message is: “Swim smarter, not harder, and don't swim alone.” Let's enjoy our water sports in Texas safely.


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