Coroner's jury recommends "face mask" ban

[freediver]

I have seen adults that are not very “aquatic” struggle with just wearing a mask in the pool. So I can certainly believe that it could happen to a child with limited aquatic experience.

-Josh

Good point but I would consider this the exception and not the rule. I have seen more of the opposite, a non-swimming terrified adult whose water experience is enhanced with the use of a mask. I think the odd thing is where thay are placing the risk, a mask that has the potential to leak water and put someone at risk. I would say the obvious risk was having a child with already confirmed weak swimming abilities in a wave pool where 200,000 gallons of turbulent water was creating an unsafe scenario.

 

[divermike1989]

What the Lifesaving "Experts" said about masks....
A kid would have to suck water in through his nose to choke on it unless it was a FFM (which I doubt!!!)COME ONE ARE THEY RETARDED!!!!

 

[cinder4320]

Regardless if one needs to wear a mask in a public pool if I as an adult CHOOSE to or to allow my children too there should not be regulations regarding it. Perhaps in a wave pool if the establishment thinks it pertinent but come on we don't need one more nanny law because people can't take care of their kids. It shouldn't be a city-wide or state wide law.

Miranda

 

[S. starfish]

Freediver That's my point, but much more nicely put. Thanks

This whole thing reminds me of a seinfeld standup that my friend showed me. DOn't remember it exactly but it goes somethign like this: We have these great brains in our heads, but theres a problem, they're malfunctioning and we keep doing things that get our heads cracked. Do we stop doing these things? No, instead we wear helmets to protect these malfunctioning brains. There are even laws our there requiring us to wear helmets, so the brains that are malfunctioning so bad that they won't stop the head cracking activities and won't wear the helmets are protected. Should we really be keeping these brains around?

IF you ask me personal accountability is playing less and less of a role in modern society, and it ticks me off.

 

[JGraves]

Good point but I would consider this the exception and not the rule. I have seen more of the opposite, a non-swimming terrified adult whose water experience is enhanced with the use of a mask.

Agreed. Let me clear that up. When some people put on a mask it causes them to panic or at least be uncomfortable because it is interfering with the way they breathe. Most people can handle a mask, but some people just can’t.

My point was, I believe goggles are probably more pool-friendly, and probably better for some novice swimmers because they do not block or hinder your breathing in any way. Masks are not practical for swimmers – it doesn’t mean you can’t do it!...In fact, I do it all the time!

I think the odd thing is where thay are placing the risk, a mask that has the potential to leak water and put someone at risk. I would say the obvious risk was having a child with already confirmed weak swimming abilities in a wave pool where 200,000 gallons of turbulent water was creating an unsafe scenario.

I have to disagree with this. “They” are not solely placing risk on any one thing. Like I said in my first post, this article is about assessing a tragic incident, primarily the fact that medical professionals were on site but not allowed to assist the lifeguards in attempting to save the child’s life. The child’s limited experience in the water, as well as the fact that he was wearing a mask, were all taken into consideration as part of the assessment.

IF you ask me personal accountability is playing less and less of a role in modern society, and it ticks me off.

Agreed! As stated in other posts – Parents you gotta watch your kids, especially when they have not mastered any aquatic skills!!! You can’t blame masks, lifeguards or anyone/anything else!

Trust me, I am against bans. But, I can understand why a private pool or park would ban masks for swimmers – masks are not practical for swimming.

-Josh

 

[USCG flyer]

Personally, I'm really getting tired of the whole "ban" mentality. Here in Alabama, two idiots at a keg party got in the car and ran over some kids on a campus...Alabama banned kegs...no more BBQ and iced down kegs for anyone. Last I checked, I recall something about Drunk Driving being a No-No? Guy with a gun? Hey, ban the gun! Wasn't there a law against murder written somewhere and multiple felons not being able to own guns? Burglar breaks into a house using a ladder from the back yard, breaks his leg and sues, wins, then a law is passed to have ladders "secured"...where does it end!

 

[freediver]

I have to disagree with this. “They” are not solely placing risk on any one thing. Like I said in my first post, this article is about assessing a tragic incident, primarily the fact that medical professionals were on site but not allowed to assist the lifeguards in attempting to save the child’s life. The child’s limited experience in the water, as well as the fact that he was wearing a mask, were all taken into consideration as part of the assessment.


-Josh

Sorry Josh, I wasn't implying that the sole blame was the mask, merely drawing a comparison between the two risks. I find the lack of swim ability (and supervision) to be much more of a risk than the mask issue, although it could have been a contributing factor.
As far as the assistance from the others, I just don't know what they could/would have done above and beyond what a competently trained guard would have. Most of the waterparks (larger scale at least) that I am familiar with have their guards trained as EMT's or have EMT's/Paramedics on staff for such events.

 

[JGraves]

As far as the assistance from the others, I just don't know what they could/would have done above and beyond what a competently trained guard would have. Most of the waterparks (larger scale at least) that I am familiar with have their guards trained as EMT's or have EMT's/Paramedics on staff for such events.

Agree! I’m not sure what they could have done either. I had a similar personal experience – I was in a major car accident, and an off-duty nurse and firefighter stopped immediately to help. But, as soon as the “on-duty” medical personnel arrived, they handed us over to the EMT’s. I guess I viewed it as this was the EMT’s jurisdiction if you will. They were just helping in the mean time.

freediver, you are a lifeguard, right? Is it even possible to work with a medical professional in this type of situation. I would guess not. I’m guessing emergency situations require a take charge attitude and it’s probably not the time to figure out the credentials of a stranger. The only way I see it working is if the medical professional was helping or assisting the lifeguard. Such as the lifeguard asking him/her to hold the victims head or something similar to that.

-Josh

 

[freediver]

Agree! I’m not sure what they could have done either. I had a similar personal experience – I was in a major car accident, and an off-duty nurse and firefighter stopped immediately to help. But, as soon as the “on-duty” medical personnel arrived, they handed us over to the EMT’s. I guess I viewed it as this was the EMT’s jurisdiction if you will. They were just helping in the mean time.

freediver, you are a lifeguard, right? Is it even possible to work with a medical professional in this type of situation. I would guess not. I’m guessing emergency situations require a take charge attitude and it’s probably not the time to figure out the credentials of a stranger. The only way I see it working is if the medical professional was helping or assisting the lifeguard. Such as the lifeguard asking him/her to hold the victims head or something similar to that.

-Josh

Hey Josh, I have taught Lifeguard Training for 17 years and throughout that time I have guarded at pools, waterparks and waterfronts. I can also say that during that time I have and will continue to accept assistance from anyone, within reason. However, if these lifeguards were thoroughly trained and followed their emergency action plans then I would have the utmost confidence that they were the most qualified to handle this specific emergency. I don't know all the specifics of the event and there may have been an underlying condition that contributed to the incident. Wave pools are difficult and effecting a rescue was part of the daily routine where I guarded. It is hard to "screen" the swimmers since they often are riding on top of a float and weak abilities aren't shown until they come off, usually in water over their head.
I would be curious to know the depth in which he was rescued and if his mask were in place when they reached him.

 

[JGraves]

I would be curious to know the depth in which he was rescued and if his mask were in place when they reached him.

freediver, I found some more info on the situation. It explains why the parents weren't there, who was there to help etc. Also, the child was apparently in the deep end. It also tells us why they want to ban masks.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2006/06/29/nb-inquest-mask.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2006/06/27/nb-mother-inquest.html

http://www.cbc.ca/story/news/national/2006/06/27/nb-inquestdaytwo.html

Let me know what you think!

-Josh