Updated
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
A toddler found unconscious and not breathing in a swimming pool at a Centralia home was revived by his father and rushed to the hospital this afternoon.
Aid called at 4:50 p.m. to the 600 block of G Street learned the dad discovered the 2-year-old boy and pulled him from the water. The child had no pulse and the dad started CPR, according to Riverside Fire Authority.
A paramedic unit from the Pearl Street station was the first unit on the scene and arrived in just under a minute and a half, according to Capt. Scott Weinert.
The boy was conscious and breathing but crying when they got there, Weinert said. Medics performed advanced life support measures to ensure the toddler continued to breathe and remained stable, he said.
It happened in a backyard built-in swimming pool, he said.
“We’re really happy he’s in stable condition and hopefully he continues to improve,” Weinert said.
When someone stops breathing for whatever reason, immediate and early intervention through CPR is key, according to Weinert.
“It’s important, that’s why it’s taught, because it can make a difference,” Weinert said.
But a traumatic event such as a near drowning could lead to a variety of physical issues or complications that still need to be evaluated by doctors and possibly treated, according to Paramedic Jade Gross.
The child was transported to Providence Centralia Hospital and then transferred to Seattle Children’s Hospital for observation.
Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children between the ages of 1 and 4 and it’s the third leading cause of death among children, according to Riverside Fire Authority.
The department took the opportunity to remind adults to be mindful of the risks and familiarize themselves with water safety tips for little ones. Riverside recommends a resource with numerous tips called Safe Kids Worldwide.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
“I Left” … unconscious, with no pulse and not breathing, said the fire department … they didn’t specifically mention if the father checked for a heartbeat and a pulse … — sharyn d.
This story interests me because I pulled a non-breathing three year old girl out of a lake in the summer of 1982. I knew what to do, I yelled “Lifeguard!!!” several times as I brought her to the dock. Even though I had just completed a first aid and cpr course, I figured the lifeguard was probably better trained than me. He was there to take her from me as I reached the dock and I remember how analytical I was as I watched him, thinking clear the airway, etc. as he did those things. As it was, she threw up and started breathing. I remember how angry I was that the parents were not watching her more carefully.
Everything went into slow motion from the moment I first spotted her in the water. I spent a year wondering if I had moved too slowly and caused brain damage by my delay. A year later my sister happened to meet the couple at her church and realized the story she was hearing was the same one involving me. It turned out the little girl had managed to wander away from the family picnic area some ways from the lake. They were frantically looking for her when they heard all the commotion at the swimming area.
Sharyn, I think your headline is a little misleading. While it says there was no pulse, there is nothing in the story to indicate the child’s heart was not beating, only that he was not breathing.
BTW. the paramedics are to be commended for their very fast response time.
To Mae….these are my neighbors and good people and parents. They have three busy boys whom they love and are raising very responsibly. Stop being so critical and self righteous. Both this boy’s parents worked as an amazing team and saved their son’s life…..get off their backs
I have to side with Mae on this one.
Of children, not chopped. Sorry about the auto correct.
Yes I do have kids. I have 4. I still sit out at my pool with my 15 year old, 13 year old, and 5 year old. I also have a life vest that my 5 year old wears whether we are hanging out at the lake, river, or at home in the pool.
It seems to me there is a chunk of this story missing. My apologies if the father was in fact out by the pool with this kid, but the story stated he was found unconscious.
With all the water deaths lately, one would think parents/caregivers of chopped would be extra careful with children around water.
No disrespect meant at all. It is pretty much common sense, watch kids around water.
Mae…do you have children?!?! They can move faster than speeding bullets..be careful before you so harshly judge his parents. This terrifying incident could happen to anyone, including YOU! Thank goodness the outcome was not worse. Dummies? Soften your edges and your judgment.
Where was the father when the little boy was in the pool. If he was actively watching his son, he wouldn’t have needed CPR. Let alone needed pulled from the pool. 2 year old children need to be watched at all times.
Lewis County parenting at its finest.
I hope the boy is okay. I hope the parents get in trouble for not properly watching their toddler around the pool. DUMMIES!
There have been far to many drownings this year. I’m really happy that this one was averted.
Thank goodness a tragedy was averted. Kids can go under so quickly and it is a silent death. They do not pop back up and thrash around.