In a chilling account that has gained significant attention online, a mother is shedding light on a pool hazard that many parents might overlook. Her aim is to raise awareness and prevent other families from experiencing a similar nightmare.
During a family vacation in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote, over the Easter holiday, Sarah Jennings faced every parent’s worst fear when her 6-year-old daughter, Lily, nearly drowned—not due to a lack of swimming skills, but because her hair became ensnared in the pool’s filter system. In a viral Facebook post, Jennings recounts how Lily was swimming joyfully when her hair got caught in the waterfall feature’s filter, trapping her underwater for more than two minutes.
“Heroic individuals came to our rescue that day. They pulled and pulled at her hair until it was finally released. Lily was unconscious and required CPR on-site,” Jennings shared. Tragically, their ordeal didn’t end there. Lily was rushed to the hospital, where doctors performed x-rays and tests, and she was monitored overnight due to low oxygen levels and excess fluid in her right lung.
While Jennings expressed relief that Lily was allowed to return home the next morning, the family is grappling with the emotional aftermath of the incident. “This was the most terrifying day of our lives. We are still trying to process everything, but we feel so fortunate to have our brave little girl with us,” she reflected.
As the Jennings family navigates their feelings about what they believe was an inadequate reaction from the hotel staff, they are determined to spread awareness about this serious—and often underestimated—risk associated with swimming pools. “We want everyone to understand the dangers that exist in swimming pools, as we feel incredibly strongly about this issue,” Jennings emphasized.
Elizabeth Harmon, a spokesperson for Pool Safely, a government initiative aimed at promoting water safety, noted, “The federal drowning prevention program strongly advocates for teaching children to avoid drains, suction outlets, and filters in both pools and spas.” Hair isn’t the only concern; limbs, jewelry, or swimsuits can also become trapped in pool drains. Parents should never permit children to swim in pools with broken or missing drain covers.
Although the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was enacted in 2008 to ensure public pools comply with safer drain cover regulations, residential pools are not yet mandated to follow suit. Harmon pointed out that despite recommendations for homeowners to install safer covers, there were still 17 reported cases of entrapment from 2012 to 2016, the majority of which involved children.
This is why the Jennings family is so passionate about sharing their story. “My partner, Jamie, and I don’t want other families to endure what we went through that day. We will never forget it, but if this post can save even one life, it will be worth it,” Jennings concluded.
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Summary:
A mother shares her traumatic experience when her daughter became trapped underwater due to a pool filter, highlighting the often-overlooked dangers of swimming pools. The family is raising awareness to prevent similar incidents and emphasize the importance of safety measures in both public and residential pools.