North Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

In the State of Florida and off the coast lines of the State of Florida, people enjoy boating and diving. In most instances, boating is enjoyable and fills the day with sunshine and fun. Unfortunately, Florida has its share of boating tragedies, personal injuries, and, yes, deaths. It was reported that a man fell off of a yacht at Elliott Key, Florida and into the propellers. What a tragic and disturbing end to a life which just prior to the incident was spent with friends on a yacht. It was reported by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that the man fell off of a 65 foot luxury yacht. The name of the yacht was oddly enough "Gotcha".

While other accidents are far more common that propeller accidents, this story should make all boaters take notice of the dangers of boating and the need for safety measures when a person is on or near a boat. The incident took place during a busy boating time of year in South Florida. See Man Dies from Boating / Propeller Accident in Elliott Key, Florida.

Hurricane season is here and in full effect. In fact, more storms hit Florida than any other state in the nation. September is a very active month for Hurricanes in Florida. These storms can be very dangerous and sometimes deadly. Recently, a man from New Jersey tragically died while swimming in rough surf at the tail-end of Hurricane Irene. 55-year-old James Palmer was at a beach just north of Flagler beach with is wife, daughter and son. Palmer went into the rough surf and his family eventually lost sight of him. An unidentified surfer spotted his body floating in the water. The surfer brought Palmer's body to shore and he was eventually transported to Florida Hospital Flagler, where he was pronounced dead. According to the Sheriff's Office, the surf Palmer was swimming in was rough about 4 feet or more higher than average because of Hurricane Irene. The death of this man is a tragedy for his family and community. For more details please read New Jersey man drowns due to violent surf from Hurricane Irene.

During this time of year, Florida residents and tourists need to take extra precautions. Hurricanes and tropical storms can be very dangerous and sometimes deadly. Adequate precautions should always be taken to ensure your and your family's safety.

A couple sustained personal injuries after a crash involving a water scooter near Cypress Cove Nudist Resort in Osceola County, Florida. According to emergency workers, the couple hit a sea wall while riding the scooter near the resort around 7:45 p.m. Eyewitnesses told authorities they believed the scooter was traveling at a rate near 40 mph when the crash occurred. The couple, a man and a woman, both 62-years-old, were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center by helicopter. The man had two broken arms, as well as a laceration on his head. The woman was treated and eventually released from the medical center. For more read Couple injured in water scooter accident in Osceola, Florida.

Although wave runners, jet skis and water scooters are fun and enjoyable for people of all ages, these boats / watercrafts are highly dangerous and must be operated with great care and concentration. Below is a list of simple Safety Tips one should use when operating one of these water devices:
1. Wear a Life Jacket. Some State laws require individuals under a certain age to wear a life jacket. However, these devices have proven to save lives and should be worn by everyone who is operating these devices or riding as a passenger.
2. Use the device's safety precautions. These devices typically come equipped with a "kill cord," a device that operates as a kill switch when the operator goes overboard, deactivating the device.
3. Stay Alert. There are many other boats, skiers, divers and swimmer around, be aware of your surroundings at all times.
4. Do not drink and operate watercraft or boatss. Intoxication serves as a distraction and neither operators nor passengers should be on these devices if they have consumed alcohol.

Two-year-old Bryce Bostick drowned in his family’s pool in the 6300 block of Regiment Drive. According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Report, the boy’s older brother went to look for him and found Bryce floating face down in the family’s pool. His brother, a neighbor and the first responding police officer performed CPR before Jacksonville Fire and Rescue arrived and took over.

An adult relative of the family was watching the six to eight children that were in the home at the time of the drowning. Bryce’s parents were at work, said the police report. The two-year-old was inside the house in a bedroom with another brother. The relative left to use a bathroom and when he returned, Bryce had disappeared. The family told police officers that he was only missing for three or four minutes before they went to look for him.

The child gained access to the pool through a back door leading to the back porch. The report said the porch was secured by a small latch leading to the backyard. The report also said that the above ground pool was 25 yards from the door. In 2000, the Florida State Legislature passed home safety regulations for pools in response to accidental drowning as the leading cause of death for young children. For more information on this topic, see Toddler who drowned in Arlington pool identified.

Florida’s river waterways provide residents and tourists with plentiful opportunities to submerge themselves. River tubing, swimming and other river activities are ways in which North Florida residents can have fun and cool off on a hot summer day. However, these activities have both inherent risks and dangers, including injury or loss of life. In addition, the dangers of river activities are enhanced when alcohol consumption is involved.

Sadly, L. Jahi James, 22-years-old drowned in the Santa Fe River while drinking and tubing with friends, according to officials. The Gilchrest County Sheriff’s Office said that he was pronounced dead shortly after he was pulled from the river’s bottom. James and at least two of his friends had rented tubes from Ginnie Springs Outdoors, which is a privately owned campground, said Investigator Tracy Taylor.

According to his friends, James drank at least one quarter of a bottle of vodka during the tubing expedition, said deputies. Witnesses said that James appeared to be asleep or passed out on his inner tube when his friends began flipping each other off their inner tubes. James’ friends realized he needed help after he did not surface. It took the friends several dives over approximately three to six minutes to find James on the river bottom, said deputies. They pulled him to the surface and began CPR until help arrived. Thereafter he was pronounced dead by Gilchrist County paramedics. The Sheriff’s Office declared James’ death an accidental drowning, but an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of his death. For more information on this topic, see Man drowns while drinking and tubing.

Wendy Pomerantz, MD, MS, an emergency room physician at Cincinnati Children’s and one of the coordinators for the Comprehensive Children’s Injury Center said that it is important for parents to watch their children closely when children are around water. She said that parents must be cautious anytime there is an accessible standing body of water; ‘Children can drown in even the smallest body of water, including toilets, portable pools, decorative fountains, buckets and bath tubs.’ Although drowning rates have decreased steadily over the past 25 years, drowning continues to be the second leading cause of death for children ages one to 19.

According to U.S. News and World Report’s 2011 Best Children’s Hospitals ranking, the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center ranks third in the nation among all Honor Roll hospitals. Cincinnati Children’s is also a recipient of pediatric research grants from the National Institutes of Health, and is internationally recognized for improving child health. Doctor’s at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center offer their expert advice to ensure that children are safe when they play around water this summer.

Dr. Pomerantz along with the American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following tips on how children can stay safe while playing around water this summer.

• All parents and caregivers should be certified in CPR.
• Never leave children unattended in or near the pool.
• Enroll your child in swimming lessons.
• Keep a phone nearby the pool in case of an emergency.
• Dump the water out of an inflatable pool after each use and turn it upside down.
• Install a safety barrier and pool gates around the pool
• Teach children proper pool safety etiquette such as never run, push or jump on others around water.

To read the complete list of safety tips, see Tips To Keep Kids Safe When They Play In And Around Water.

As a result of the seventh area drowning of a child younger than four-years-old, the Volusia County Health Department has started a campaign to spread awareness about pool safety and the dangers of drowning. Alejandro Guzman, two-years-old was found underwater in a hotel pool at the Oceanside Inn, located at: 1909 S. Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach Shores. A surveillance video showed that the toddler was underwater for nine minutes before he was noticed.

The Volusia County Health Department has recruited the help form local hotels to spread the message that children need to be supervised at all times around water. A hotel representative agreed to distribute pamphlets about pool safety to local hotels. Stefany Strong, a Health Department spokeswoman, said that the hotels will have the option to distribute the pamphlets with registration forms or put them out on display.

The number of children who have drowned this year has already doubled from last year. The Health Department Chief, Dr. Bonnie Sorensen does not think that people understand how closely they should watch children around the water. ‘They don't realize how silently and quickly a child can sink in the pool and be gone. When they drown, they don't scream and yell for help -- there's not a lot of drama,’ she said.

The chief executive officer of the Hotel & Lodging Association of Volusia County, Bob Davis, is unsure how effective the pamphlets will be, but he thinks that there is a chance they could save a life. For more information on this topic, see Hotels to hand out child pool-safety messages.

Summer is the time of year when many families travel for vacation especially to Florida destinations like Daytona Beach, Orlando, and Jacksonville. Unfortunately, safety measures such as pool fences and alarms are not always available to protect children when staying at a vacation home or hotel.

In Volusia County a two-year-old child tragically drowned at a hotel swimming pool over the holiday weekend. The child was part of an extended group spending the holiday at the Oceanside Inn in Daytona Beach Shores. According to news reports, the parents were on the beach at the time of the incident, and the child was in the care of another relative. Daytona Beach paramedics tried to revive the child after he spent nine minutes underwater, but he could not be saved. Witnesses said that the rescuers did everything they could.

Since parents cannot install fences or pool alarms on a hotel pool, communication and supervision are the most important tools to protect your child from drowning in a hotel pool. Vacations often involve many daily activities, which mean it is easy to get distracted throughout the day. Parents should confirm with each other and other family members who will be responsible for watching the child throughout the day. It is also important to remember that whether or not there is a lifeguard on duty at the hotel pool, they cannot watch your child at every moment; drowning can be quick and quiet. For more information on this topic, see 2-Year-Old Drowns In Volusia Hotel Pool.

The book titled The ABCs of Child Injury - Legal Rights of the Injured Child - What Every Parent Should Know - has chapters on Damages / Compensation, Medical Bills and Treatment, and Water Park and Swimming Pool Related Injuries and Drownings. You can receive a Free Book Regarding Frequently Asked Child Injury Questions.

Statistics and current events prove that the idle months of summer pose the highest risk of danger to North Florida children’s safety. Drowning and gun accidents are on the top of the list for fatal threats. Fortunately, both instances are preventable and education is the key.

According to the Florida Department of Health, Florida reported the highest number of drownings for children under the age of 5 than any other state in the United States. Recent headlines demonstrate this danger; four children nearly drowned in pools from June 16-21 in Palm Beach County. As such, it is a responsible question to ask- Is your child protected from drowning? In order to prevent your child from drowning, take your child to swimming lessons and be vigilant about securing access to any water.

Firearm injures account for the second leading cause of death for children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For example, firearm accidents in Palm Beach County alone claim an average of one child’s life a month. In every instance of firearm-related deaths, vulnerable children found access to a loaded weapon that was not properly secured. Officials say that the summer months pose the most danger. West Palm Beach police, the Palm Beach County’s Sheriff’s Office, the Palm Beach County Children Services Council, pediatric physicians and others recently teamed up to encourage parents to keep their firearms in a secure location.

Summer should be a fun and safe time for your children. Jacksonville, Orlando and other Florida parents should educate themselves about pool and firearm safety so they can prevent their children from any unnecessary harm. For more information on this topic, see Summer is peak season for child dangers, so parents beware.

A near drowning incident was recently reported in Daytona Beach, Florida. The victim, a male in his early twenties is reportedly in critical condition after almost drowning in a Florida swimming pool. The victim's name as not been released, however he is believed to have been visiting from out of town, said Lt. Larry R. Stoney of Daytona Beach Fire. Rescue crews arrived at the 1000 block of S. Atlantic Avenue where they found victim on the pool deck. According to Stoney, the victim, who did not know how to swim, was sitting on the edge of the pool when he fell in. His parents had allegedly gone to their room to retrieve something when their son fell in. Bystanders pulled the man from the pool and performed CPR until rescue official arrived. The victim was breathing on his own by the time he was transported to Halifax Health Medical Center. For more read Near-drowning incident in Daytona Beach, Florida, victim in critical condition.

Drownings are a leading cause of death in children and teenagers. During the summer months drownings and near-drowning incidents are only expected to increase. Below are a few basic Water Safety Tips that can help prevent drowning incidents:

Swimming Pools
- Know where your child is at at all times.
- Surround your pool with a security fence.
- Never leave toys in or around pools that will attract children.
- Avoid using alcohol prior to or during swimming activities.
- Do not depend on floaties and rafts as life-saving equipment.
Water Parks
- Stay with your group or use the buddy system.
Beach or Lake
- Always use the buddy system.
- Swim only in areas where a lifeguard is on duty.

If you would like to read more basic Water Safety Tips please read Importance of Swimming Lessons for Children - Classes Can Save Lives at the Wood, Atter and Wolf, P.A. website.

Two people recently drowned in Lake Weir in Ocala, Florida. According to authorities, two family members were celebrating the life of a family member who was killed in an underwater miming accident when the drowning occurred. A woman and her child were swimming in the lake when the woman began having trouble, said the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The woman’s brother-in-law jumped in to help and was able to help get the child back to the boat safety. Unfortunately, when he went back to get the woman, they were not able to make it back to the boat safely. The names of the victims have not been released.

Drowning remains a significant public health concern, as it is a major cause of disability and death. Although drownings are the second leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children under the age of 14, adults are also at risk for drowning. The surprising reality is that thousands of adults do not know how to swim. Many are aquaphobic (abnormal and persistent fear of water) and dread even the thought of getting into a pool. Fortunately, there are exercises that adults can practice to help them feel more comfortable in the water.

An adult learning how to swim should first get acclimated with water. For a person to feel comfortable in a typical swimming position, a person needs to get used to having water in their face, eyes, mouth, ears, and nose. A person should practice at home by splashing water in the bathtub or sink.

In addition, an adult swimmer should become familiar with the motion of the water and how the body moves in it. Many people think that once they are in the water they should start swimming exercises right away, but it is more important to feel comfortable getting into the pool and standing in waist-deep water. Take time to walk around the pool to feel how the water pushes against you. Jumping up and down/ forwards and backwards will help to provide body awareness to water resistance.

These activities are only meant to be a starting point for adults who are interested in swimming but afraid of the water. There are many recreational centers and public pools in Jacksonville that offer classes in beginning swimming and water safety for adults. Ask your local swimming facility about private individual lessons if a group setting makes you nervous. Taking the family to the beach or pool can be an enjoyable time and everyone should be able to have in the water, regardless of age.

For more information on this topic, see two people drown in Lake Weir in Ocala.

Drowning is a lead cause of death for children, especially those 14-years-old and younger. According to statistics, more than 800 children 14 and under drown each year. One precaution parents can take to help prevent drownings is to constantly supervise your child, whether at the beach, swimming pool or even a bathroom. Younger children and infants can drown in as little as 2 inches of water. Therefore, toilets, bathtubs and buckets are even hazardous. According to Gia Ramsey, Akron Children's Hospital Injury Prevention Specialist, said drowning is the second-highest accidental injury for those between the ages of 5-24; car accidents are number one. Children need to be supervised even if they have had prior swimming lessons, supervision is a critical prevention factor. Proper safety gear such as life preservers are also important and should not be substituted or replaced with other flotation devices. For certain activities, children should always wear a life vest. Children 10-years-old and younger should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life vest while on a boat. All pools should be surrounded with a locked safety fence and have alarms for the gates. For more read Water safety tips for you and your family this summer.

Summer time is here which means it is a popular time for Jacksonville and North Florida families to plan backyard barbecues and pool parties. As such, many people in Florida and nationwide will end up taking unexpected trips to the ER; nearly half of all unintentional child injury related deaths occur in June, July and August. Underwriter Laboratories (UL) is an independent non-profit global safety organization that is urging families to make backyard safety a priority this summer.

Following are a few unsettling statistics:
-Each summer an estimated 2.7 million children visit the ER due to injuries around the pool or backyard
-Barbecue grill fires resulted in 7,900 home fires for each year between 2003 and 2006
-Each year 200,000children under 14 go to the ER for play set-related injuries
-For those families that have swimming pools, 4,200people every year visit the ER with pool or spa-related injuries
-Unfortunately 10 people die each day from drowning in the United States.

In light of these statistics, UL recommends that families visit The Backyard Safety Explorer to test the safety of their outdoor space before allowing the kids to play in the yard.

The UL has also provided safety tips for grilling, pool and playground safety:

Grilling Safety
• Keep grills at a safe distance from any structure. Grilling mishaps cause more than 8,300 fires and send 3,000 people to the emergency room each year. Never grill indoors or near garages or porches, even if it’s raining.
• Never leave the grill unattended, especially when young children or pets are nearby.
• Have a spray bottle or fire extinguisher close to the grill to put out the fire, should one occur.

Pool Safety
• If you have a pool at home, install a fence. The fence should be at least four-feet high and have a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child's reach.
• Supervision is a must. Follow the 10/20 rule when you’re at the pool. The 10/20 rule states the supervising adult needs to position themselves to be able to scan the pool within 10 seconds and reach the water within 20 seconds
• Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not safety devices. They are toys and can easily puncture and deflate.
• Empty small wading pools after children are done playing and remove all toys. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water. Pool toys may attract children to the pool when it is unattended.

Playground Safety
• Carefully inspect backyard playground equipment. Make sure equipment is anchored safely in the ground, all equipment pieces are in good working order, S-hooks are entirely closed, and bolts are not protruding.
• Check for spaces that could trap children like openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs. These spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
• Install protective surfacing, such as rubber tiles or mulch under the play set, at least six feet in all directions, to prevent serious injuries should a child fall.

For more information on this topic, see tips to stay safe during backyard BBQs and pool parties

Pool safety is a large concern in Jacksonville, as well as nationwide. Every year, thousands of children die from drowning and many drowning deaths occur in residential swimming pools. As such, it is important to understand the importance of pool safety and the legal requirements to implement it. Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act sets forth the requirements for pool barriers at residential pools.

A residential swimming pool barrier must have all the following requirements: the barrier must be at least 4 feet high on the outside; the barrier may not have any gaps or openings that could allow a young child to get through the barrier; the barrier must be placed around the perimeter of the pool and must be separate from any other enclosure surround the yard unless that enclosure is situated on the perimeter of the pool and is being used as part of the barrier, and; the barrier must be placed sufficiently away from the water’s edge to prevent a person from penetrating the barrier from immediately falling into the water. For safety barrier requirements regarding gates, ladders, above ground swimming pools or other information, see Florida’s Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act.

The book entitled, The ABCs of Child Injury- Legal Rights of the Injured Child – What Every Parent Should Know is also a helpful resource for swimming safety. The book has a chapter specifically dedicated to Swimming and Injuries at Swimming Pools, Water Parks, and Other Water Ways.

Summer is just around the corner and for millions of Americans that means it is the season for fun in the sun. The day light hours are longer, so there is much more time for children to play out by the swimming pool. As such, the importance of swimming lessons for water safety cannot be overstated especially in Florida; everyone and especially children should learn how to swim. Sadly, however, this is not the case. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children between one and 19. In addition, toddlers and teenage boys are the largest groups within that population.

Swim lessons teach children safety issues in a structured manner. Generally, children are taught to be unafraid of water and get their faces wet, then to float and breathe properly. The repetition used in organized swim lessons is the key because it triggers the same neurological result continuously and results in learning. The use of movement along with explanations and demonstrations by the teacher reinforces learning the movement.

Jacksonville, Florida parents should choose a swim program with care. Here are a few tips to help decide what swimming program is best for your child:

1.Evaluate the philosophy of the swim program: Some swim programs teach children to swim by use of flotation devices, while others prohibit their use. You will need to be sure that you are comfortable with the program's instruction methods.

2.Choose a program with credentialed instructors: You want to be sure that your child's swim program hires swim instructors who have lifesaving and lifeguarding credentials.

3.Consider your child's learning style: Will learning to swim in a group be too distracting for your child? If so, you may prefer to enroll her in a swim program that offers private lessons.

4.Parental involvement: Find out what level of parental involvement is allowed and encouraged.

It is important for parents to realize that water is present even in areas without waterways; home pools, retention ponds and unsealed wells are just a few hazards present everywhere. Swimming lessons can prevent your child from drowning and becoming a fatal statistic. Visit Jax4kids to find out where in Jacksonville,Florida you can sign your child up for swimming lessons.

Many families like to spend their weekends and free time at the beach. Unfortunately, a fun day at the beach can quickly turn into a nightmare for Jacksonville parents. From the burning hot sun and jellyfish stings to the deadly rip currents, the beach can be a scary place. However, most of these lurking dangers can be avoided if parents know what to look out for. Chris Brewster, president of the United States Lifesaving Association, says that “swimming and water activities are very healthy so long as you use appropriate caution for yourself and your family when you visit the beach.”

The best way to protect your family from a rip current is to avoid them. Rip currents, often misnamed rip tides or undertows account for 80% of lifeguard rescues at ocean beaches and 80% of drowning deaths. Parents should select a beach where lifeguards are present because the chances of drowning are 1 in 18 million of a lifeguard is present, Brewster says. Parents should also check with the lifeguard and find out the safest places to swim. If there are no lifeguards present, you may find a kiosk or beach access sign that provides such information.

Brewster advises the following tips in the event that you do get caught in a rip current. First, swim to the side one way or the other until you no longer have difficulties or feel yourself being pulled. Second, fight the current because these currents can move up to 8 knots. Lastly, tread water until somebody can assist you.

Parents should teach their children to swim in the environment that they are going to be swimming in. Your kids may be a confident pool swimmer but that doesn’t prepare them for the conditions of a Jacksonville Beach. For more information on this topic, see beach safety 101.

The City of Jacksonville (Florida) closed 33 of its public pools after a warning about potentially deadly drain covers given by a government agency. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of about one million pools and spa drain covers last Thursday because they “could pose a possible entrapment risk to swimmers and bathers.” City spokesman Ben Bennymon said that all of the pools will remain closed until their drain covers are inspected and if needed, replaced.

Pool drains contain up to 500 pounds of vacuum force and can cause severe personal injuries, especially to young children. Often times younger kid’s bathing suits, necklaces, and hair get trapped in the drain. In extreme cases, swimmers can be disemboweled by the suction. According to the CPSC, 97 suction entrapment incidents were reported between 1999 and 2010, and 12 resulted in death. In addition, 82 injuries were reported during that same period.

Pool entrapment death is one of the most horrifying ways a child or adult can die. Pool drain entrapment occurs when a drain is defective or missing. Normal pool operation involves cycling the water through a filtration system, and in order to do this, water must be sucked out of the pool through the drain. When the cover is defective, excessive suction can cause the swimmer to be trapped in the drain. Drain covers in Jacksonville public and residential pools should be inspected on a regular basis for brittleness, cracks, lose screws, and improper fit to prevent serious death or injury. For more information on this topic, see city pools closed after pool drain recall.

Two teenage boys came close to drowning during the Easter holiday in an Arlington Lake of Jacksonville, Florida. The boys were rescued by friends and neighbors and subsequently taken to nearby hospitals by firefighters. Although the names and identities of either teen were not released, the boys are believed to be in between 15- or 16-years-old. One of the teen's younger brother said his older brother, who lived beside the lake, went swimming with a visiting friend. The older brother became tired and began to sink. The visiting teen went after his friend and eventually became fatigued after trying to save him, slipping underneath the water. Another boy was able to haul the visiting friend to a floating dock at the center of the lake. The other teen was not found until a searcher stumbled into him. Bill Moore lifted the teen's motionless body and brought him to a dock about 40 yards away. A woman performed CPR on the teen until paramedics arrived. Moore said a police officer told him the teen began breathing on his own after being taken from the area. The conditions of both teens are unknown. For more read Two teenage boys nearly drown in Arlington Lake of Jacksonville, Florida.

Although these boys were familiar with the area and had been swimming in the lake in the past, their experience did not keep them from harm's way. A critical factor in teen drownings in fatigue. Never go swimming if you are feeling tired or otherwise exhausted.

In Clearwater Beach, Florida, it was reported that a Gainesville Radiologist (George Wladyka) went alone for a swim and was later found unresponsive by another swimmer / beach goer. Dr. Wladyka practiced at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Gainesville, Florida. An autopsy will be performed to determine if the cause of death was drowning related, as the result of a medical condition, and / or a combination of both. It is a sad loss for the family and community. See Gainesville Doctor Dies After Near Drowning Incident at Clearwater Beach, Florida.

It is not clear from the story above whether the swimmer died as a result of a drowning or a medical incident. Nevertheless, stories like these should remind everyone of all ages to swim with a buddy and to take all precautions necessary when at a pool, lake, pond, or ocean. Yes, Florida provides people of all ages great weather and water ways; however, the water ways can present dangers that can cause serious personal injuries and even deaths.

A 6-year-old boy from New York was reported in serious but stable condition at Halifax Health Medical Center. Calvin Morse was found at the bottom of a hot tub at a Hilton Hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida. A woman was walking with her family in the pool area of the hotel when her son discovered Calvin at the bottom of the hot tub. The mother quickly jumped into the hot tub, retrieved Calvin, and immediately began performing CPR on the child. Calvin was vacationing with his mother and sister, the family was visiting from Staten Island, New York. Andrea Morse, Calvin's mother, said that both her child have had two years of swim lessons. For more read 6-year-old boy rescued from Hilton Hotel hot tub in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Constant and direct supervision is a key factor in preventing children from drowning or suffering other water-related personal injuries. Most hotels do not employ lifeguards. Therefore, parents need to ensure their child's safety while he or she is playing in the water. While swimming pool and hot tubs can be a lot of fun, they also pose a serious threat to the health, safety, and welfare of children.

An autopsy was performed on Central State University athlete - Jasmine Crenshaw - following the drowning incident at a Clermont resort. The medical examiner reported that the death was accidental in nature. The death and drowning of this college student came as quite a surprise to her teammates, the school, her friends, her family, and the community. She was a college athlete in peak shape and showed no signs of poor health or disease prior to the incident. There does not appear to be foul play or any criminal acts involved in the death of Jasmine Crenshaw. See Lake County Medical Examiner: Ohio Athlete Accidentally Drowned.

Swimming in any body of water whether a swimming pool, lake, pond, river, canal, or ocean can be quite dangerous. Some drowning incidents are unavoidable and result from an unexpected acute medical event. Other drowning incidents are avoidable with the implementation of lifeguards, good lighting, the buddy system, rest periods, and other safety precautions.

A drowning was recently reported in Central Florida involving a track athlete from Central State University in Ohio. Jasmine Crenshaw, age 22, ran at a track meet earlier in the day at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University which is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night, Jasmine was seen in the resort's lake at the Summer Bay Resort. Divers later found her body approximately 15 feet from the lake shore in approximately 8 feet of water. Detectives and forensic experts will conduct an investigation as to the cause and manner of death. It is unfortunate that a college student with so much potential died at a such an early age. The school, friends, family, and community will mourn her passing. See Athlete from Ohio's Central State University Drowns at Clermont Resort.

A 2-year-old boy of Volusia County, Florida, has tragically died after falling into a swimming pool at his grandparents' house in DeLand, Florida. The toddler, Elijah Eckhardt, was pronounced dead at Florida Hospital South in Orlando, where he was transferred after he was discovered by his 10-year-old brother. According to investigators, Elijah wandered from his parents' home and apparently walked to his grandparents' home next door where he fell into the swimming pool. The toddler's father told deputies he put the child down for a nap and left the home after his wife arrived home. The mother began to make dinner and when she went to wake Elijah from his nap he was missing. The family instantly began to search their large plot of land, which includes four other home sites where other relatives reside. Deputies arrivied at the grandparents' home around 5 p.m.; Spokesman for the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, Gary Davidson, says it is unknown how long the child was in the pool. Elijah was unresponsive when paramedics arrived but was resuscitated at the hospital. Elijah was in critical condition and on life support when he was airlifted to Florida Hospital South where he was later pronounced dead. For more details please see >2-year-old boy dies after falling into grandparents pool in DeLand, Florida.

Drownings are leading cause of death for toddlers and children because they do not understand the inherent dangers of playing in the water. Parents should always supervise their children while the children are in the water. Other water safety tips include putting a protective gate or other border around residential pools, not letting children play in the water when they are fatigued and maintain constant and incessant supervision of the child when he or she is in the water.

A 19-year-old man was rushed to the hospital after he was found at the bottom of a pool at an apartment complex near the University of Central Florida. A maintenance worker at the Pegasus Landing apartment complex made a call to police and reported that a man was being pulled from the pool and was not breathing. According to a university spokesman, a UCF police officer was nearby when the call came in and was able to arrive at the scene within a minute of the call. The university police officer performed CPR until other rescue personnel arrived. Paramedics rushed the 19-year-old Valenica Community College student to an area hospital where he was placed on advanced life support. Grant Heston, a spokesman for the university, said he did not know of the young man's present condition, but he did have a pulse when he was taken from the apartment complex. If you would like to read more on this story, please see 19-year-old experiences near-drowning incident in UCF-area apartment complex.

Regardless of one's age, safety precautions should always be taken when engaging in water-related activities. People should not swim if they are feeling fatigued or have consumed alcohol. Fatigue and alcohol consumption reduces one's ability to swim and can make one tire more easily than normal.

In Florida, boaters and their passengers can enjoy boating activities year round. While some times of year are better than others, Florida's warm weather provides access to Florida's lakes, rivers, and oceans year round. There are risks associated with boating activities. Boat propellers can cause serious injuries to those who come in contact with the boat propellers. Boat operators and passengers should keep safety in mind at all times over everything else. In Indian Shores, Florida, it was reported that Molly Rinerth of St. Petersburg, Florida suffered serious injuries after she jumped overboard to get a hat that had fallen off her head. The boat operator had not noticed or was otherwise unaware that Molly was in the water. Molly was later hit by the boat, pulled underneath the boat, and then resurfaced. She did suffer some deep laceration cuts to her leg as a result of contact with the propeller. You can read more about this article at Florida Woman Chasing Hat Struck by Boat Propeller.

Three fishermen were recently rescued after their boat capsized and left them at sea for approximately 18 hours. The owner of the boat, Schools Out, was identified as 69-year-old Gilbert Gastineau of St. Petersburg, Florida. Gastineau's wife, Dawn, said she hopes to get Gastineau home soon as he is in "good spirits" and merely being supervised for high energy he exerted due to the 18-hour ordeal.

Gastineau's boat capsized at about 6 p.m. on a Friday afternoon; he and his two other mates, both from Colorado, were not found by rescuers until 11:30 a.m. the next day. Luckily, the men were experienced fishermen and knew what safety precautions to take once they realized the boat was going to flip over. The men put their life jackets on, tied themselves together and tethered the line to the boat. This allowed them to be seen by rescue air crafts. The men were spotted by HC-130 Hercules helicopter after a lengthy search and were finally rescued hours after being spotted. Gastineau credited his survival to the group effort, saying all the men encourage each other throughout the ordeal. The other passengers are back in Colorado and Gastineau is expected to return home in the very near future. If you would like to read more on this story please see 3 men rescued after boat capsizes, the men were at see for 18 hours.

These men were experienced fishermen and knew what to do in a dangerous and unpredictable situation. This situation is a good example for illustrating how important it is to know the safety precautions to take while out at sea.

Retention ponds and detention ponds are raising safety concerns for those who live near them. Retention ponds, also known as wet ponds, are facilities that maintain a permanent pool of water. Detention ponds, also known as dry ponds, store water only in the aftermath of runoff events. These ponds are significantly helpful in the area of stormwater management and flood control. However, these ponds can also pose a significant risk to public health, safety and welfare.

A main safety concern regarding these ponds is that children are extremely attracted to them and can risk drowning or other water-related personal injures. For example, a dry pond near an office park experienced a rapid rise. A child was apparently playing in the pond and was knocked down by jet flows from an inlet pipe, tumbled by vortex flows and ultimately dragged into an unprotected outlet pipe by suction forces. Safety experts are blaming injuries similar to this one on the designed of these ponds. Expert urge officials who are responsible for constructing these ponds to not build these ponds next to areas where children are largely present (parks, playgrounds, etc.). Failure to address the safety risks caused by these ponds could and, more than likely, will lead to more water-related child personal injuries or death. If you would like to read more of the safety concerns regarding retention and detention ponds please see Retention and detention ponds pose risks of drowning and other water-related injuries to children.

Until officials and property owners take a more proactive role in setting up safety precautions for children in and around retention and detention ponds, parents and guardians should inform children of the inherent dangers in water. Water is highly attractive to children. Therefore, children should be taught not to get too close or go into water without the supervision of an adult or other responsible adult.

Two people were hospitalized after two separate near-drowning incidences. A woman, who frequents the beaches in Jacksonville, Florida, apparently got caught in a rip current and had to be pulled out of the water by her friends and nearby surfers. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue was also contacted and responded to the near-drowning call at around 8:30 a.m. The woman, who was in critical condition, was taken by medics to Baptist Medical Center Beaches. Fortunately, by the time the woman arrived at the hospital her condition had improved significantly, according to Tom Francis, spokesman of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue.

On the same day, but around noon, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue responded to another call about a possible drowning at a retention pond off St. Augustine Road. The pond was located behind a group of new homes in Kingswood Terrace. According to police, two boys, ages 13 and 14 were in the water, but the 13-year-old could not swim. Rescue workers pulled the teen from the pond and took him to Baptist Hospital, where he was in critical condition. If you would like to read more on this story please see 2 separate near-drowning incidents occur in Jacksonville, Florida.

Hopefully both these near-drowning victims will make a quick and full recovery. During these warm, sunny days in Florida both children and adults need to be careful if either intend to be around the water. Although the water is fun and can be a great means for exercise, it is a strong natural force. If you plan on being around the water make sure highly aware of your surroundings: What is the weather like? Windy? Does the water look rough? How good of a swimmer are you? Ask yourselves these questions to better assess your situation and your safety.

Also if you would like to read more on Water Safety please read Importance of Water Safety for Children - Tips for Parents, Camp Counselors, Teachers, Day Care Providers and Others.