Warning to Aussies After Mum and Son’s Terrifying Beach Ordeal
A mother shares her son’s near-drowning experience to raise awareness about water safety
Sorrento Beach, Victoria, Australia, Drowning, Water Safety, CPR
Sorrento: A mum named Tiffany recently shared a scary moment when she found her son floating face down in the water. It was a real wake-up call for parents about the signs of drowning.
Last month, she talked to Yahoo News about a skill that could save lives. This came after a frightening experience she had when her siblings were little. Chloe Freeman, a swim teacher, agrees that being prepared is key, especially with so many rescues happening each summer.
Chloe was at Sorrento Beach last summer with her sister-in-law and their five kids. They all knew how to swim, thanks to lessons. But while setting up their sun tent, she turned around and saw a child face down in the water. It was her three-year-old son, Lewis.
She dashed into the water fully dressed, not knowing if he was okay. Thankfully, she noticed he was trying to lift his head, even if it was just a tiny movement. A man helped her pull Lewis out of the water.
Lewis was hypothermic, with his eyes closed and breathing shallow. It took a while to stabilize him, and he was rushed to the hospital for observation. Chloe, being a qualified swim teacher and former lifeguard, felt that without her knowledge, he could have drowned.
She realized that if she hadn’t recognized the signs, it could have ended tragically. Chloe emphasized that accidents can happen to anyone, no matter how confident they are in the water.
She urged families to stay aware of the dangers and to know what drowning looks like. Learning CPR is also crucial, as you never know when you might need it. Water safety education is super important.
In December alone, there were seven fatal drownings in Victoria, with 31 across Australia. On average, eight fatal drownings happen each year during this time. Last summer, there was at least one drowning per day, with many victims being adults and children.
Ambulance Victoria’s Dale Armstrong reminded parents to stay vigilant. Drowning often happens silently, especially with kids under four. Always supervise children near water and learn CPR.
Just last week, a 21-year-old man drowned in Canberra, and there were other incidents across Australia. It’s a stark reminder to everyone to be careful and aware around water.