I don't know if any of you all watched the news or read the papers today but the seven year old boy who drowned in a public swimming pool in Oakville yesterday (father's day) was the child of a work-mate of mine!
I got the unfortunate phone call this morning and have found it extremley difficult to function all day.
Although he was not a very close friend I had met his wife and the boy on several occasions through work.
What is upsetting me the most in addition to the fact that it was a seven year old is how 5 (certified?) lifeguards and at least one adult could not spot a child floating in the deep-end of the pool in time enough to revive him! It was a private birthday party for another child with only 30-35 children. You figure out the math. That’s like 6 children per adult to watch by my calculations.
The funeral is this Thursday and I am informed it will be a open coffin. I'm sorry but I just do not know how I will be able to accept or witness the burial of a seven-year-old child!
If there is anything positive thing that could come out of this tragedy it is improved safety at Public swimming pools and a greater appreciation for the loved-ones we have in our lives.
Any thoughts are welcome.
___________________
The Matrix is everywhere, it is all around us, even now in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window, or you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work, when you go to church, when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Jun-21-2004 20:05
Pett
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Toronto, Canada
As a City of Toronto Lifeguard i can say
THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THIS.
Jun-21-2004 20:16
rabbitjoker
aural sadist
Registered: Aug 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
The pool is about 1 km from where I live. I heard about it Sunday morning. Very unfortunate situation indeed.
Dark Dirty Tech Tribal. | Hands in air (trance) and feet on the floor (house).
Jun-21-2004 20:24
djeso
.: Secret Society :.
Registered: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
really sorry to hear what happened those lifeguards are going to have to live with this for the rest of their lives, being a life guard is a responsibility, wish there was even one life guard that was responible, I do hope there is a charge laid on for this.
But there is nothing worst then losing a child nothing can fix that now really sorry once again
This was a crazy tragedy. I've got a couple of friends who work at that Iroquois pool and at various town pools in general and I can only imagine their bewilderment.
___________________
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Jun-21-2004 20:52
Superstar
Senior tranceaddict
Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Hey don't be jumping on the lifeguards if you don't know the whole story... it most likely was their fault, but you never know... I'm only saying this because I used to be a lifeguard and we got a LOT of abuse from patrons/supervisors/health inspectors/parents/everyone. What if the kid just went unconscious and they tried to revive him unsuccessfully? It doesn't neccesarily mean they weren't scanning their water.
Jun-21-2004 21:34
Kaz
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Apr 2004
Location: Toronto
So now what's going to happen to the lifeguards that were there?
Jun-21-2004 22:38
Pett
Supreme tranceaddict
Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Toronto, Canada
quote:
Originally posted by Superstar
Hey don't be jumping on the lifeguards if you don't know the whole story... it most likely was their fault, but you never know... I'm only saying this because I used to be a lifeguard and we got a LOT of abuse from patrons/supervisors/health inspectors/parents/everyone. What if the kid just went unconscious and they tried to revive him unsuccessfully? It doesn't neccesarily mean they weren't scanning their water.
This is a good point and we wont know for sure until after the enquiry, but assuming the title is right and he did drown then its due to a lack of scanning, and the lifeguard(s) responisible for that zone will be in trouble.
nothing can fix that now 
