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Near drowning at YMCA angers Spotsylvania mom
Young boy nearly drowns at Massad YMCA off Butler Road
Date published: 8/8/2007
BY RACHANA DIXIT
A Spotsylvania County mother has angrily criticized the Massad YMCA in Stafford County because her son nearly drowned at its outdoor water park last week, while a lifeguard was on a nearby stand.
Lisa Conroy said her 31/2- year-old son, CJ, wandered away from the restroom at the Butler Road YMCA while she was in there. Conroy and her four children went to the water park that day around 11 a.m.
"As soon as I knew he was gone, I ran out looking for him," said Conroy, who has been a YMCA member for one year.
As she walked with her eldest son toward the deep end of the water park's pool, Conroy said her son saw CJ floating limply in the water around the 4-foot mark. She jumped in to pull him out.
"I don't even know how to swim," Conroy said. "The [lifeguard] would not come down and help me. I just kept screaming for help."
Barney Reiley, CEO of the Rappahannock Area YMCA, confirmed that there was a rescue at the Massad YMCA July 31. He did not provide further comment.
"It appears that our staff acted appropriately," Reiley said. "We're very grateful, from what we understand, that the child is doing all right."
The Massad YMCA water park can have as many as nine lifeguards on duty at a time, and seven lifeguard stands surround the area. The outdoor water park, which cost $2.4 million to build and attracts around 4,000 visitors per week, has a kids section in addition to the roughly 81- by 75-foot pool. Reiley said the pool's depth is 3 to 5 feet.
Conroy said another YMCA staff member gave CPR to her son, and he came to shortly after. Holly Bean, chief executive assistant for the Rappahannock Area YMCA, said many Massad branch lifeguards take a YMCA lifeguard training course--which includes river and water park safety--if they will be life guarding for an extended period of time. All lifeguards must be certified by the American Red Cross, which requires first-aid training and professional rescue CPR.
But because of what she called the lifeguard's inaction, Conroy said she did not know whether the lifeguard knew CPR or not.
CJ's father, John Conroy, said his son was hospitalized for two days because of the fluid buildup in his lungs. He has since been released, but Lisa Conroy still does not understand how her son slipped by the lifeguards into the main pool unnoticed, and why no one helped sooner.
"I feel responsible because he's my child, of course," she said. "On the other hand, they have lifeguards. They give the impression they're going to help you."
She added, "I don't want this to happen to any other child. That's my concern."
Rachana Dixit: 540/374-5000
Email: rdixit@freelancestar.com
Read more stories about Fredericksburg
Date published: 8/8/2007
Most recent reader comments:
Seems to me
(posted by
taxpayer
, Sep. 11, 2008 5:17 pm)
That Mom needs to keep better tabs on her child and if she doesn't know how to swim, maybe she should learn....and teach the children.
Be Responsible
(posted by
klaire123
, Sep. 10, 2008 9:56 pm)
Mom needs to take responsibility for her actions. Stop blaming others. Fortunately, the child did not walk into the parking lot and/or get struck by a vehicle. Who would be blamed then. People are always ready to blame others for their irresponsibility. Contact your local Social Services department to get the definition of Child Protective Services and "Lack of supervision". You, not the lifeguard, are defined as the caretaker.
MOST Of The Blame Is With The Mother
(posted by
Gnhntn
, Sep. 10, 2008 2:26 pm)
I do agree the lifeguard was at fault for not providing assistance to the mother, it does not take that long to scan an entire pool. The lifeguard should have known there was a little child in the area without his parents. However, I must say that most of the blame falls with the mother. At 3 1/2 years old neither of my children were left where they could "Wonder Off' on their own. The child should have been inthe batrhroom with the mother, or she should have had some else there to help with the children.
YMCA
(posted by
1958
, Sep. 10, 2008 12:44 pm)
well i go to the other y in spotsy other then one lady thats works there it does not seam any one is in charge, maybe this need to be checked into
Mom is responsible
(posted by
CamandSam
, Sep. 10, 2008 11:24 am)
The YMCA takes extra steps by providing LIFE VESTS! Mom should have put the child in a life vest. I have 2 kids, they always go into the stall with me and have never just wandered out. The Y DOES NEED to put a regular PHONE at the pool. Cell phones are not reliable! YMCA has adequate lifeguards but parents need to pay attention. Remember the trained guards are KIDS themselves. It takes a community to keep everyone safe. Where were the other parents at the pool? MOM -YOU ARE THE RESPONSIBLE ONE!
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