The Littlest Mermaid

"Most Hobbits regarded even rivers and small boats with deep misgivings...and not many of them could swim."
~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring 


OK, so my daughter isn't a Hobbit now, but she certainly started out that way.  Here's a picture of her as a baby....

She hated the pool.

But lately she's a bit of a mermaid.  Today we went to the city pool.  It was well worth the total $9.00 we paid ($5.50 for me and $3.50 for her).  The season pass is definitely worth purchasing, but unfortunately I didn't think to budget it in.  For adults it's $75.00 and $35.00 for kids.  Believe me, I'm buying one next year.

Today we spent two and a half hours in the pool.  It was fun and it was physical activity...something kids don't get much anymore.  When I was a kid we were were out playing kickball on the block corners, and running around like fools.  Today?  Kids sit in front of the TV either watching mindless programs or playing video games (which I'm pretty sure in large doses causes some form of brain damage along with obesity, social ineptitude, and exposure to violence...I guess you noticed I am NOT a fan of video games).  

How things change...

A Note on Drowning and Water Distress


The most important tip ever.  Drowning does NOT look like it does in movies.  No splashing, holding up fingers counting one..two...three as the victim bobs up and down, and victims do not scream "HELP!" I know you'll be looking out for your own child, but always be aware of other little ones in the pool.  The following information is from Mario Vittone's Website

1. Except in rare circumstances, drowning people are physiologically unable to call out for help. The respiratory system was designed for breathing. Speech is the secondary or overlaid function. Breathing must be fulfilled, before speech occurs.
2. Drowning people’s mouths alternately sink below and reappear above the surface of the water. The mouths of drowning people are not above the surface of the water long enough for them to exhale, inhale, and call out for help. When the drowning people’s mouths are above the surface, they exhale and inhale quickly as their mouths start to sink below the surface of the water.
3. Drowning people cannot wave for help. Nature instinctively forces them to extend their arms laterally and press down on the water’s surface. Pressing down on the surface of the water, permits drowning people to leverage their bodies so they can lift their mouths out of the water to breathe.
4. Throughout the Instinctive Drowning Response, drowning people cannot voluntarily control their arm movements. Physiologically, drowning people who are struggling on the surface of the water cannot stop drowning and perform voluntary movements such as waving for help, moving toward a rescuer, or reaching out for a piece of rescue equipment.
5. From beginning to end of the Instinctive Drowning Response people’s bodies remain upright in the water, with no evidence of a supporting kick. Unless rescued by a trained lifeguard, these drowning people can only struggle on the surface of the water from 20 to 60 seconds before submersion occurs.

(Source: On Scene Magazine: Fall 2006 (page 14))

This doesn’t mean that a person that is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble – they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long – but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, throw rings, etc.
Look for these other signs of drowning when persons are in the water:

• Head low in the water, mouth at water level
• Head tilted back with mouth open
• Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
• Eyes closed
• Hair over forehead or eyes
• Not using legs – Vertical
• Hyperventilating or gasping
• Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
• Trying to roll over on the back
• Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder. 
•  

Pool tips!

1.  Take the time to both play and teach your little one some pool safety.  No running. No serious horseplay (Please teach them NOT to dunk others.  Seriously...can you name one single person that likes to be dunked?). Teach them to back float and how to hold their breath if their head goes under.  I'm no instructor, but forcing bubbles out of their noses means water isn't going in their noses.  Make sure you point out the lifeguards and how to identify them.  At Cedar Beach, the lifeguards wear red suits, sit in the high chairs watching over the pool, and hold a long lifesaving red float.

2.  You can get lots of blow up toys like inner tubes, beach balls, and floaty wings at the Dollar Store.  Just remember, these toys aren't life saving devices.

3. Pack a nice picnic lunch.  I learned this the hard way.  Cedar Beach has a little cafe, but as far as I could tell, the hot dog buns were bought in 1931.  The only thing the cafe is good for is candy and sodas.  Sandwiches and snacks are best brought in a cooler, and shared with your group.

4.  Take breaks every hour and apply sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen (a good time to do this is when you eat lunch).  Skin cancer is nothing to fool with.  Put your sunscreen on before you leave for the pool when your skin is dry.  That way it can soak into your skin properly.  Reapply often (about once an hour or so).  Dry your skin before you put more on.  If you rub sunscreen on while you are wet, it washes off when you get back into the pool.  While we're on the sun protection subject, hats, sunglasses, and sitting under the trees are also helpful.  You know very well what a sunburn feels like. Don't subject your child to the same kind of pain.

5. Remember to bring goggles and water shoes!


HAVE FUN!  STAY SAFE!