Drowning Foundation Formed : Mother Turns a Backyard Tragedy Into a Message

Nadina Riggsbee wakes each day with a living reminder of the tragic swimming pool accident that gave birth to her activism. And each day she struggles to deliver a public message that might save other mothers from the sorrow she has encountered.

Nine years ago, Riggsbee’s two small children wandered into the backyard pool, unseen by a baby sitter. One child drowned, and the other remains severely retarded.

In response to that tragedy, Riggsbee founded the Drowning Prevention Foundation.

In April, fliers prepared by the foundation, with assistance from the National Spa and Pool Institute, announced that May was Drowning Prevention Month.

Information Distributed

The media and the public were asked for help in distributing information that might save others from the tragedy Riggsbee’s family suffered.

Several public agencies distributed their own fliers. One from the Riverside County Department of Health warned parents: “Virtually all drowning accidents occur because of inadequate adult supervision and all accidents of this type are preventable.”

Due partly to a scarcity of money and publicity and a shared concern for saving young lives, an uneasy alliance has been formed between Riggsbee’s foundation and the pool and spa industry.

The foundation has pushed for legislation that at times is an anathema to the industry, such as measures to require fencing on four sides of swimming pools.

Builders Oppose Fencing

An ordinance mandating such fencing recently passed in Contra Costa County but builders contend that the increased cost of providing fencing on four sides combined with a loss in aesthetic appeal due to the obscured view will drive sales down.

The Drowning Prevention Foundation says the fencing will save lives but a study commissioned by NSPI failed to prove either contention.

Another parting of the ways comes over the means by which information is presented.

Manzoor R. Massey, the director of health education with the Riverside County Department of Health, said: “Drowning is the leading cause of death among children between the ages of 1 and 5 in California.”

Rate Not Abnormal

But Donald Burns, spokesman for the California Spa and Pool Industry Energy Codes and Legislative Council in Sacramento, contends California has no more and no fewer child drownings than other states when the number of swimming pools is taken into account.

He contends that the leading cause of death for children, inside and outside of California, remains automobile accidents.

Riggsbee, said the dispute is mere hair-splitting.

Each year, she said, thousands of children die needlessly in swimming pools, spas, toilet bowls, natural waterways, fountains and even diaper pails.

So, she works with the pool industry. In conjunction with the National Spa and Pool Institute, the groups provide these basic rules:

- Install and use safety locks on doors and gates leading to swimming pools and spas.

- Provide effective barriers around pools and check latches frequently.

- Keep toys out of the pool area.

- Cover pools and hot tubs.

- Know how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

- Never allow children to play alone near a body of water.