Thursday, November 10, 2005 started out like any other night. My son Drew was on the back Lani playing with his rod and reel and I was preparing dinner and cleaning up some personal paperwork in the office. The line on his rod and reel got tangled and while I untangled it I reminded Drew to stay away from the pool. As I walked into the house and went into my office, I thought to myself that I would hear a splash if Drew fell in the pool. I was cleaning up some paperwork and I thought I better check on Drew. I dropped the paperwork and walked towards the sliding glass doors and didn’t see Drew. I stepped out on the Lani and could see subtle ripples in the water. Because of the layout of the house you have to go around a corner to see the shallow end of the pool and as I walked around the corner I saw my precious 3 year-old floating in the water.

I immediately jumped in and pulled him from the pool. Enough time had lapsed that he was full of water, he had blue lips, his eyes were open and glassed over and he was not breathing. I was panicking. All I could think of was “I killed my baby”. I was struggling with emotions as I carried my son into the house to find the phone. It was all the way in the office. I placed my son on the floor while I called 911. Drew was not breathing and I do not know how I allowed this to happen. During the “911” call I rolled Drew back and forth and he spit up some of the water he had taken in. Moments before EMS arrived my son took a breath and let out a scream of fear. However, I had tears of joy from the sound of his piercing scream.

That following Monday, I asked around for swim instructors or swim schools and Seal Swim School was recommended to me. I called immediately. I explained to the person that answered the phone that my son had a near drowning the prior week and I needed to have him enrolled in swim lessons. The school scheduled Drew that Wednesday for his first swim class.

Drew’s instructor was Krystal, I just fell in love with her the first visit. She was compassionate, understanding, and patient. Drew was terrified during his first lesson but Krystal held him close to her, comforted him, spoke softly and calmly to him. She won him over. After about 4 or 5 lessons I actually watched my son sit on the side of the pool and of his own free will jump in and swim to Krystal. I was overwhelmed with excitement and this confirmed that I had made the right decision to enroll him in Seal Swim School.
Drew still has a long way to go. I have enrolled him for the session from January 2006 – March 2006. He has only had two lessons thus far in January but he retained what he learned last year and with Krystal and he is continuing to learn survival techniques and becoming a stronger swimmer. This is only possible due to the professional staff and wonderful instructors, especially Krystal at Seal Swim School. I encourage all parents to invest in their children’s lives by having them taught how to swim. Seal Swim School is a great investment for your child.

Thank you, Seal Swim School. I now have a piece of mind that if Drew falls into the pool, this time it won’t be a near drowning but huge accomplishment.
Mary Anne Wiltse
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