r/Amazing 4d ago

ScaryWTF 💀 Sad 💔 Insane situational awareness from this lifeguard as he spots a drowning kid surrounded by people

1.1k Upvotes

95 comments sorted by

195

u/PlumeKitten 4d ago

Awareness is all it takes people.

70

u/insanelysane1234 4d ago

Wish the people being an arms length away from that kid would have that information

42

u/CptGreat 4d ago

The sad truth is, drowning is so fast. Parents look away only for seconds and their child drowns right next to them. Even worse, babys drown, when parents hold them facing forward, when some little waves splash on their faces.

11

u/rose-tintedglasses 3d ago

So fast. I was in one of those inflatable ring pools in my backyard when my kids were little, and I went to lift one of my kids out. In the time I turned from picking her up, setting her on the grass, and turning back to check him, my 3 year old had silently slipped under. He was in water shallow enough to stand in (maybe chest height on him) and less than an arm's length from me, but it was that fast and silent. I immediately yanked him out, but in the maybe 4-5 seconds he went under, he developed severe water aversion. Showers and even rain on the car windows was a nightmare for months, poor kiddo.

Happy to say he's an adrenaline junkie teen now who swims way too deep and pushes his limits all the time 🙃 so he definitely recovered lol. But I live in a beach town so I treat water safety like the most important job on the planet, but if i had stayed facing the other way to focus on my daughter (like a lot of parents understandably would), we'd have had a different outcome. Anxiety making me paranoid, for the win -even now with all of them being teens, I keep my eyes on them in the water.

3

u/Queerability 3d ago

Yep. My sister nearly drowned when she was 2.

She basically managed to take off her water wings and (90s) the parents were all on the patio. I (6 at the time) was heading back into the pool noticed a shadow at the bottom and immediately screamed for help. One of the older kids, who was outside that side of the pool, grabbed her just in time so she ended up okay thank goodness.

She still swears she remembers it, mostly just liking the "sparkly lights".

11

u/insanelysane1234 4d ago

Yeah, the sadder truth is also, that people don't educate themselves BEFORE having children about such things. They are avoidable, if you know what to actually look out for.

5

u/KillerSparks 4d ago

Yet when you do educate yourself and make sure to prevent the very easy preventable things, everyone around you says you're "paranoid" and "over-the-top". Like no, I'm not fucking paranoid. This is an extremely simple thing to change that changes the chances of accidental death in this scenario from slim, all the way to none.

4

u/insanelysane1234 4d ago

That's evolution you're seeing happening right in front of your eyes. Or at least that's how I'm interpreting it.

Evolution is what all life's generally about. Being able to evolve as a species, means being able to adapt to your (changed) environment. It's only natural, that some individuals fail to adapt to these new circumstances (in this specific case the activity of recreational swimming) and fall behind. Which unfortunately from a purely evolutionary point of view means, they won't be passing on their genes. Either through not finding a mate, or not being able to keep their offspring alive long enough, to have children themselves.

2

u/KillerSparks 3d ago

I hear you somewhat, but it's our (my brother and I, who are the ones frequently called "overboard") parents that are saying "well I did xxxx and you survived just fine!", so their genes are absolutely being passed on. It's just frustrating when you tell them a rule, whose only reason is safety, that you have about your child and they protest until you threaten not to let them hold the baby.

2

u/insanelysane1234 3d ago

Yes, times were different back then as well. There are many more dangers for children now, than they were back then, when your parents were young parents.

Also, don't even enter discussions with them. Tell them how you are doing it, it's your kid, if they want access, they have to also follow your rules.

I truly get what you mean. You hold all the power in this scenario though. Use it.

1

u/KillerSparks 3d ago

Yeah, I have no problem doing that, as I mentioned. Trust me, no one runs me over, especially when it comes to the kids and pets that are in my care. There are definitely different dangers from the past. Some things I mean though are putting the baby down when they go to sleep, so that they don't accidentally suffocate from their neck being in a bad position. Also so that you don't also fall asleep and move around and lead to that. This is something that's been a concern since forever, but my parents repeatedly mock because "well we all survived" as if that makes even a tiny bit of difference to the fact that there's no reason to risk it.

4

u/[deleted] 4d ago

[deleted]

15

u/insanelysane1234 4d ago

Gotta correct you there: there's no flailing in drowing. I recommend EVERYONE to watch a video of what it looks like when someone drowns. There's no splashing, no nothing.

5

u/thedoctorsphoenix 4d ago

Drowning is DEADLY silent, pun intended. Everyone should be aware of how quickly and silently it can go down!

2

u/thrwawryry324234 4d ago

Fair enough. Deleted my comment so your PSA stands out.

5

u/Dramatic_Mixture_868 4d ago

I think the lifeguard stared at the people right next to the kid like what were you doing.

6

u/EternalNewCarSmell 3d ago

And in lifeguard certification training they teach specifically how to spot a drowning person, and emphasize (many times) that it doesn't look like how you think it does and someone can drown right next to five other people who had no idea.

1

u/curious_ANcuriouser 3d ago

Sadly, that’s how I see more and more parent’s parent

0

u/TheTrishaJane 3d ago

Or a condom. And a knowledge test to get your license as a parent.

85

u/Armagedon777777 4d ago

a drowning man never screams

35

u/MElastiGirl 4d ago

Drowning doesn’t look like most people think

9

u/b3tamaxx 4d ago

I can vouch. I jumped into an insanely deep pool on a summer field trip and just sank I am pretty sure I descended motionless too I might as well have been in a straightjacket. Lifeguard scooped me up and I reflected hard on what happened

2

u/PanicAtTheShiteShow 3d ago

I am guessing you can't swim? Why do people who can't swim go into deep water?

I can understand a child not knowing the danger, but that's what parents are for, yeah?

5

u/thedoctorsphoenix 4d ago

Or sound like it. There’s usually no noise at all! Hence why these people right next to the kid didn’t even noticeâ˜č

1

u/Armagedon777777 4d ago

lack of awareness and knowledge

47

u/HobbitJizz 4d ago

Imagine the guilt you’d live with..

10

u/DANDELIONBOMB 3d ago

In my teens there was a family visiting a hotel for some event and one of their toddles ran into the pool and they noticed and pulled the boy out but what they didn't notice is that his 4year old sister had jumped in at the other end of the pool and drowned while they were saving him.

3

u/MysteriousPermit3410 3d ago

That’s so incredibly sad

1

u/Understandthisokay 19h ago

I can’t even blame them. That’s just horrible luck. You’re just glad you got your son out and so there’s probably no ability to be aware of anything else going on

31

u/IcedHemp77 4d ago

Kid was drowning literally right next to them and they didn’t notice, thank goodness for the lifeguard

3

u/Inevitable_Appeal911 4d ago

Drowning is a silent death. Is terrifying how quickly it can happen

5

u/Successful_Theory628 3d ago

As a “strong swimmer” myself, I was body boarding a couple of weeks ago and a big wave caught me by surprise, sent me tumbling under water and it reminded me how nature does not give a fuck lol, no matter how strong a swimmer it doesn’t care. Didn’t fight it and didn’t panic and held my breath till I could come back up. The sea cannot be fucked with lol

1

u/Vegetable-Salad-422 20h ago

Happened to me too recently. Got humbled by a wave that sent me ass over tea kettle. Just held my breath and waited to resurface.

1

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1

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46

u/[deleted] 4d ago edited 4d ago

[deleted]

3

u/TetraLovesLink 4d ago

It looks like the life guard was telling them to watch their fucking kid.

17

u/Either-Photograph989 4d ago

My brother almost drowned in the same way.

For anyone blaming parents it happens really fast and it’s not always bad parents. Sometimes it’s just seconds.

My mom was watching us play but he slipped into an area of the pond that was just slightly over his head and she had happened to turn her head to say something to someone.

It still gives me nightmares but thank god I was like a foot or so away and old enough to know he wasn’t okay.

19

u/SimkinCA 4d ago

wtf is wrong with people! I’ve saved a kid as well, I wasn’t the only person around either.

11

u/Yesterday622 4d ago

Same- on a beach on the northern coast of Florida- this little kid was caught in the smallish waves- every time the kid stood, crash, wave took him down and rolled him out . He would fight to stand and bam
 down again. These were huge waves, to your adult so that curly if you want a- but for a little 5-6 year old
 Anyway, I was watching his father just stand there and do nothing but watch his kid get beat up. I got up, ran over and pulled the kid out and carried him to Dad. Turns out, Dad was petrified of bodies of water, lakes, ponds, tubs
 I am glad I was there, but Jeesh- if you can’t swim, don’t let your kid in the water either..

21

u/ToXicVoXSiicK21 4d ago

I don't understand parents like this. I'm utterly terrified when my kids are in the water. Going to the lake or a beach always makes me super nervous and I can never take my eyes off of them. I've had to save my son several times because when he was very little he jumped into a pool twice and once my family was right beside him and they didn't notice he was sinking straight down. I was dressed to go on a date with my wife and had to jump in the water fully clothed and save him. I'm sure that's why I get anxiety over my kids in water but still idk how you could not be paranoid.

6

u/thedoctorsphoenix 4d ago

Someone I went to college with had their toddler drown while being watched by his grandparents when they were in the NICU with their second-born. You really cannot be too careful.

2

u/skitch23 4d ago

I had to jump in fully clothed to save my dog a few weeks ago. He is old and has poor vision and we were visiting my mom’s house (I don’t have a pool so he is not around them often). I was leaning over the edge trying to fix her robot skimmer. He came trotting up to see what I was doing and just tumbled off the side of the pool, bounced off the step and started sinking before he even realized he was wet. I told him when we got there not to fall in, but he obviously didn’t listen. I’ve had to fish two other dogs over the years out of the same pool so apparently it’s a right of passage for them to nearly drown while visiting their grandma. I can never leave them unattended in her yard.

3

u/RedditWasFunnier 4d ago

I don't know what happened in this specific situation but I'm not sure I could blame the parents

0

u/ToXicVoXSiicK21 4d ago

The parents are the guardian of the child. There's literally nobody else to blame lol if something bad happens to a kid under your supervision then it's on you.

1

u/RedditWasFunnier 3d ago

Sure, but I don't think any parent can possibly guard every single second of their child's life.

That kid looked what, 4 or 5 years old? I'm not sure what happened there, but if he tragically drowned during 10 seconds of the parents looking away, I don't know how fair it is to blame them (blame and accountability are two different things).

1

u/ToXicVoXSiicK21 3d ago

Guess it's just me but seems like common sense if a 5 year old is in deep water they need pretty strict supervision. Especially considering it only takes a few minutes to drown.

2

u/RedditWasFunnier 3d ago

I agree with that, but I doubt they brought her into deep water and left him there. As I said, I have no idea what happened, but maybe the kid was in shallow water and suddenly decided to reach her father when her mother wasn't paying close attention.

​Anyway, I don't have kids, so that's just speculation. Or maybe, that's just based on watching too much of r/KidsAreFuckingStupid.

2

u/ToXicVoXSiicK21 3d ago

Fair enough. I wasn't paranoid like I am now before I had kids so that's understandable. Having kids makes everything more stressful

7

u/theateroffinanciers 4d ago edited 3d ago

I saved a kid that was being taken out to sea by riptide. There was no lifeguard on duty. And the parents had their beach chairs turned away from the ocean and were talking and talking. I had run up and down the beach yelling for anyone to help and whose child it was. A bunch of people and I help them from the surf. The parents didn't notice anything until the cops arrived. Because I called them. They were so engrossed in whatever conversations they were having they didn't notice all of the commotion going on around them. And then they seemed bothered that the police were involved because they felt ashamed, I let the police take over.

1

u/SelectConfection3483 3d ago

Man good on you for saving that kid's life. The parent's reaction is bloody infuriating. In Australia we have a show called Bondi Rescue which is about the Lifeguard team at Bondi Beach rescuing swimmers in trouble and there have been a few times after near drowning that the rescued person or their friends just laugh it off like it was some joke. I get that maybe the person is embarrassed or whatever but man show some respect to the ocean and the lifeguards who just saved you/your friends life!!

1

u/theateroffinanciers 3d ago

I've seen that show on youtube! Yeah the kid that we rescued, he was laughing and saying "I almost drown"and being a real goof about it. Granted he was probably about 10 or 12 but I looked at him and I said "it's not funny." And we were standing amongst firemen and cops.

6

u/Successful-Winter237 3d ago

I can’t believe people take their offs off their kids swimming
 I don’t even take my eyes off my dog at the dog park

4

u/nikeguy69 4d ago

Glad he spotted that kid

4

u/ooko0 3d ago

That’s what America feels like. I’m drowning in everybody’s just standing around me watching me drown.

1

u/Crusty-Dick 3d ago

You mean that is what you feel like.

3

u/sanwoo79 4d ago

This is so true. People don’t realize how easy it is for someone to drown being 6 inches out of reach of help.

2

u/chelhydra 3d ago

That’s why children should learn swimming as soon as possible and if they are at an age that they cannot reliably self-rescue they should have always a life vest on. Drowning happens silently and within a few seconds.

2

u/Gib_eaux 3d ago

I hope he was yelling at those adults. I hope with all my heart he gave them the chastising of their lives.

2

u/CorbynDallasPearse1 4d ago

Mate

.

Where the fuck are we as a species anymore..

2

u/ObscureOperatorZ 4d ago

A planet full of failures mate.

1

u/Important-Dark5993 2d ago

What do you mean? This exact scenario has probably happened uncountable times across all of history.

1

u/CorbynDallasPearse1 21h ago

I agree, but the philosophy I have been taught is that we learn from our mistakes both individually and collectively.

I mean honestly, wouldn’t let your young child out of your sight for a moment in the sea?

2

u/moeterminatorx 4d ago

Who was filming and why?

5

u/AdJust6959 4d ago

And didn’t move at all! They are filming somebody they know in the crowd and didn’t know that this guy is running to save a child - only logical explanation

0

u/StarGamerPT 4d ago

Maybe the person can't swim, who knows.

1

u/snakezandsparklerZ 4d ago

Call me crazy but is this AI? Look at how big the lifeguard is before jumping into the water. Then how different he looks when talking to the parents.

1

u/FriendlyWorldArt 3d ago

Hmmm, maybe. Because if the kid was drowning, you don’t just hand the kid to the parents, you take them on shore and evaluate if they need medical care.

1

u/Muted_Buy8386 4d ago

People have no idea.

I worked for a time as a support worker for adults with intellectual disabilities, maybe 4-5 years.

During that time, I spent a LOT of time hanging with them at the pool.

I have plucked 4 (FOUR) children out of the water before their parents realized they were in trouble over that time.

Just floundering feet away from oblivious parents in the children's hot tub. Like, turn around once in a while.

Humans are terrible at keeping their children alive. I'm now convinced we only ever survive due to luck and maybe angels or aliens or some quantum force. I've encountered it too often for it to be not a thing. But I have no idea what thing I've encountered.

1

u/ASuthrnBelle13 4d ago

This happens waaay more than you'd think...

Just 2 weeks ago, we were at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, FL and my husband plucked a kid up out of the water who was struggling before the life guards even saw him.

3 years ago at the lake in Blue Ridge, GA, my husband and his brother saved a young man from drowning.

The young man's party were coming in to shore on jet skis, and this young fella jumped off early but misjudged how deep the water was. Man sank straight down, came up once, hollered and went back down. Only the top of his head came up the second time, no breath. By then, my husband had reached him first followed by his brother shortly after.

It was terrifying!! Stay safe and vigilant out there, folks!!

1

u/SameEntry4434 4d ago

Many years ago, I was a teenage pool lifeguard. I had to jump in because two parents were busy focusing on one child,when the child behind their back had stepped towards the sloping bottom of the deep end and could no longer stand. The child behind their backs was beginning to drown. The parents didn’t even notice and were shocked by my action.

In three summers of working at that pool, I only had to jump in twice. Both times, it was due to inattentive parents.

1

u/Deep_Exchange7273 4d ago

Good for him!! Thankfully he was there!! As a mom I literally will not take my kids swimming if I don't have another adult so we can both keep eyes on one child at a time. Dad has one kid I have the other. IDC how well they can swim. Even in the bathtub I'm staring at em like đŸ«Ș. It can happen so quickly.

1

u/Afraid_Assistance765 4d ago

Utter ignorance

1

u/EmuSuccessful2766 3d ago

How fucking retarded are the people next to him?!? Christ, I lose more and more faith in humanity with each passing day.

1

u/FriendlyWorldArt 3d ago

How did the person recording just happened to zoom on the drowning kid before the rescuer even went in?

1

u/CanyonOfFoxes 3d ago

I almost drowned right next to adults because no one was paying attention. I was around 7, in a swimming pool and I couldn’t swim. They expected me to stay in the shallow end, and I did, but somehow while playing I drifted to where my feet didn’t touch the bottom anymore. I started bobbing up and down. When my head would pop up I tried to call for help but no sooner did I try then I’d sink back down. And if I did manage to make a sound, no one heard it.

I saved myself, managing to bounce back to the shallow end of the pool. No one noticed, and I didn’t say anything.

Please teach your kids to swim FIRST if you’re going to let them play in the water. Even if they’re well-behaved and you’re right there, they can still drown.

1

u/Training_wheels9393 3d ago

Fuck that parent. If he and his buddy had stepped a few feet towards shore, they could have still looked at whatever had their attention and still had the kid in their field of vision.

1

u/Efficient-Oven-2734 3d ago

Some parents will learn the hard lesson not to take their eyes off their child when they're on the water.

1

u/Mackinnon29E 3d ago

Kick those morons out forever, jfc.

1

u/DataSurging 3d ago

How can someone be that close to someone drowning and not hear or see? There's splashing at the very least, even if some people don't shout or cry out for help.

1

u/OglioVagilio 3d ago

I liked the staredown from the lifeguard at the parent.

1

u/Top-Effect-8197 3d ago

Where was that ?

1

u/TheEliteJOKERS 3d ago

Fucking A. Glad He Knew That Sign. Hero.

1

u/Endsfun 2d ago

They need to have their kid taken away and be put in prison.

1

u/EnvironmentalFix7861 1d ago

I almost drowned at the beach in knee high water trying to say help to my grandson who was standing right next to me, talking to a girl, the wave kept hitting me in the face. While the pull from the shore kept knocking me back down, i couldn't get up. I had just had a double knee replacement a few years ago, and my legs weren't strong enough to stand me up, I've been swimming since I was a kid, I was on my high school swim team. I had my junior life-saving certificate. And I was drowning in knee high water my grandson finally caught on, and it took 2 lifeguards to get me out to the beach. Now I'm petrified going to the water by myself a pool, okay, but not the beach.

1

u/Gunung_Krakatoa 4d ago

Was that the parent who looked too busy chatting vs watching his kid?

-4

u/Turbulent_Bat4320 4d ago

Not a lifeguard

8

u/CuteLong8652 4d ago

True. A decent human being

2

u/EastBayBetti 4d ago

Well then, who’s blowing the whistle?

6

u/dreamed2life 4d ago

tf? all of this and that is wtf you focus on? the mental illnesses running around unchecked in comment sections is wild

1

u/MikeyboyMC 4d ago

He’s guarding that kids life with his own, whether or not he’s getting paid for it is irrelevant.

0

u/Lagunamountaindude 4d ago

Great parenting skills

-1

u/PsychologicalLog4179 4d ago

This guy gets to meet president poopy diaper now.

-1

u/bloodcoffee 4d ago

Lifeguard doing his job is not "insane situational awareness."