2 Near-Drownings Remind of Danger That Pools Pose

Two Easter Sunday family get-togethers in South County almost turned into tragedies when two young children nearly drowned after falling into backyard swimming pools within a two-hour period, authorities said.

The victims, a 10-month-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, were both listed in fair condition at Mission Hospital Regional Medical Center in Mission Viejo.

Orange County fire officials, who are gearing to launch their annual pool safety campaign, said the two near-drownings underscore the need for pool owners to be vigilant this year.

“Drownings haven’t received the kind of attention El Nino has,” Orange County Fire Capt. Scott Brown said. “But the truth is, this is a public health crisis. Unless we change our behavior, we’ll continue to repeat these incidents almost every time we go out to enjoy the warm weather.”

With thousands of backyard pools, Southern California leads the nation in drowning deaths, Brown said. It is known by paramedics as “the silent killer” and is the leading cause of death by injury for children younger than 5 in the county and state.

The first near-drowning on Sunday involved the boy. It occurred about 2:15 p.m. in one of Rancho Santa Margarita’s gated communities.

According to Brown, about 12 relatives were enjoying the afternoon in and around the swimming pool when a young girl frantically reported that she had stepped on a child’s body lying beneath the water.

A relative plucked the 3-year-old from the water and a registered nurse who was among the relatives administered mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, Brown said.

After about a minute, the boy regained consciousness. He was taken to the hospital and was expected to be released.

Orange County Fire Capt. Jeff Taylor, who was among the paramedics who responded to the 911 call, said relatives reported that “they had taken their eyes off the boy for mere seconds.”

“Children don’t make noise when they slip underwater, and they can’t cry out for help. That’s why we have to be extremely vigilant if there’s a pool around,” Taylor said.

The second incident occurred less than two hours later, a short distance away in Coto de Caza.

Brown said relatives administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation after rescuing the girl from the pool. The child was not breathing and her skin had turned blue, Brown said.

After she was revived by relatives, the baby also was taken by paramedics to the Mission Viejo hospital where she was placed under observation, Brown said.

“We are very fortunate that these young children will enjoy a full recovery,” Brown said. “But we have to understand that pools are drowning machines, and we have to change our behavior to save lives.”

This year, Orange County fire officials are encouraging pool owners to designate “water watchers,” individuals who constantly monitor young children near pools.

Brown said anyone interested in free CPR classes and pool safety should call the Fire Authority at (714) 744-0496.