Some little fuckers nearly drowned my Soph at the local pool on Tuesday. I'm not going to shed a tear if the useless lifeguard gets sacked but I fear if I get any response at all it will be a 'we'll look into it, but the summer is nearly over' blahdeblahblah.
Below is my missive to the Community Services Dept of the City.
...................................................................................................
I wish to report a problem that occurred at the Fleet/Harrow wading pool on Tuesday 19th August 2008.
I attend this pool regularly with my children aged 1 and 4. On Tuesday an incident happened that could have ended in drowning for my 4 year old.
There were a group of older children - most looked ages 5/6 but there was one clearly older one as well - probably over 10. They were all grouped around a mini-surfboard. This item floats, looks identical to a surfboard but is only about 3 ft long. The children were all grouped around the board and pushing/fighting/climbing on it without paying any attention to who was around. They did not see my 4 year old daughter, only her head above water pulling herself around on her hands and they pushed the board over her head. Her head was completely submerged in the water with no way to get up. I do not dare to think what would have happened had I not been 2 feet away from her. I yelled at the children, grabbed my daughter who was gasping, very frightened and quickly burst into tears along with my 1 year old and we sat at the side of the pool where I could calm her down.
I played the incident down for my daughter's sake. She has recently started swimming lessons and the last thing I wish to do is instill a fear of water in her. But she could have drowned had I not been beside her. This is not histrionics or exaggeration, just a frightening fact.
The children involved all came over to us to apologize. I told them that board should not be allowed in the water. Another local mother came over to see if we were okay and we had a similar discussion about the board. The lifeguard did not come over. The lifeguard did not see the incident and even when my daughters were crying (the younger joined in when seeing her elder sister in distress) she did not come to ask what had happened and if she was hurt.
My first issue is with the allowed usage of this kind of board in wading pools. A child smaller than mine would have had even less chance of getting out from under it. While every parent is responsible for their children most don't stand right beside them in the pool. I, fortuitously, just happened to be within arm's reach. I cannot stress how a board of this kind is clearly dangerous and has no place in a wading pool.
My second issue is with the lifeguard. The pool was busy but not exceptionally so. Perhaps 12-15 children in the pool at the time. How the lifeguard failed to see the incident happen or the aftermath of it is mind-boggling. There is no way she could have missed me yelling and pulling my child nor her crying. As we were leaving I asked her if she saw what had happened and she said 'no'. I explained that my daughter had been pushed under this board and was struggling and she said 'oh'. I said the boards clearly do not belong in the pool and I got no response.
Not exactly inspiring confidence of any sort.
Though I applaud the City's decision to keep the wading pools open longer this summer we will not - because of the lifeguard on duty - attend this pool again. Another long-term resident of the neighborhood has expressed similar concerns to mine (and has stopped bringing her child there as well) - specifically when compared to the very capable lifeguard who was on duty at this pool last year. She kept the rowdier children in line. Used her authority when needed and was always close to the children in the pool. She cleared the pool of children when taking water samples and entering the pool building allowing them back in only when she was there to watch them - the lifeguard this summer does not. I had thought this was City policy. Perhaps the difference comes down to maturity. The lifeguard last year was older, probably late 20's/30's the one this year looks to be a teenager and uncertain of her authority.
If a lifeguard is loathe to assert any authority they should not be a lifeguard. If a lifeguard fails to spot a near drowning and cannot be bothered to inquire what happened when an incident clearly took place they should not be a lifeguard. If a lifeguard cannot spot how hazardous an item is BEFORE a problem occurs they should not be a lifeguard.
I hope this matter will be addressed and that the use of these surfboard items will be disallowed.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss this further.
