Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning

With our upcoming camp-out and our summer break, where I'm sure we will all be going to the pool, beach, lake or anywhere to stay cool, I wanted to pass on this article that was posted on the South Riding Homeschool Yahoo group entitled Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning.

I read this with my heart in my stomach because the actions described in this article actually happened to me last year; and since then I had thought that maybe I had over reacted until reading this. Last summer during swim team practice, Kaleigh, a Tadpole (the beginning level of the team) moved from the more shallow end of the pool to the competition lanes to practice swimming across the pool.

The lane was set up with two coaches. Kaleigh swam past the 1st coach. The 2nd coach had the job of watching Kaleigh until she swam by him, and continue watching until she reached the other end of the pool. Instead, after Kaleigh passed, he turned his back to watch the next child getting ready to jump in.

Kaleigh had experience swimming the length of the pool, but she somehow got herself in a vertical position this one day. The rest of my story describes my actions in slow motion, as that is how I remember them. It seemed everything was happening over a longer amount of time, but in reality, it all happened in less than 2 minutes. That said however, the article says you may only have 30 seconds......

In this vertical position, it appeared Kaleigh was just treading water and that she would get herself in the correct swimming position. As I'm watching I'm thinking, "Does she need help? Wouldn't she call if she needed help? Will I be overreacting to yell to the coach to help her?" At that point, I tried to get the attention of a coach, but couldn't.

In slow motion, I felt like I was seeing her slowly sink. I dropped everything in my hand and jumped in the water with clothes and shoes on to grab her. After we got out of the water, Kaleigh said to me, and I'll never forget, "Mommy, why did you jump in the water with your shoes on? I just needed your hand to help me to the side." It makes me want to cry when I think about her little voice telling me that because my hand would have not reached her.

As this article said, it was very peaceful. The whole time, she made no commotion, no yelling for help, no waiving hands, etc. In fact, if it wasn't for one of her teammates that saw me jump in and then report it to his Mom, the President of the swim team, I don't think anyone would have noticed.

It is only because of our gracious Lord that gave me enough instinct to react quickly. From that day, I always wondered if I had "overreacted." I have never been a lifeguard; I have not received training on spotting and saving someone that has trouble in the water. After all, Kaleigh, didn't look like someone I would expect to be drowning. Even though my mind was thinking all these thoughts, in my heart, I really believe that had I not been there, I would be telling you all a very different story. A story that I have to stop my mind from travelling down the "what-if" road.

I believe that the Lord wanted me to read this article as confirmation that I did not overreact. Our Lord has provided the answers to all the questions I had about that day through this article, even though this took place almost 3/4 of a year ago. I am constantly amazed that His timing for everything is never too late and always just the right time, even when I may not see it that way at first.

It was bitter sweet to read this as I was reminded of that one summer day. But, I'm thankful that He reminds me that I am not to forget to follow my instinct and not worry so much how I look, how I sound or how I may affect others. When it comes to safety, especially of a child, the consequence could be too great. I hope my lessons learned will help you if you are ever faced with a similar situation.