May 2, 2025: When journalists get it right
Good Morning,
If you've followed me on social media for any length of time, you know one of my pet peeves is the way drowning is reported. 'Drowning' means submersion in a liquid, so there is no "near drowning" unless there was no submersion. There can be drowning that isn't fatal, but drowning (submersion in liquid for some period of time) still happened.
There's also vagaries around the consequences of non-fatal drownings. Submersion in liquid for even a few minutes deprives the brain of oxygen and leads to significant morbidity, like brain injuries, that stop the victim's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Writing "near drowning" falsely implies there were no consequences or injuries, and that's rarely the case. I've shared families bringing awareness to the issue of non-fatal drowning with morbidity in a past newsletter because it no small feat to care for a permanently disabled child.
Journalists aren't specialists in water safety, so they often get wording wrong. There's no style guide for accurately reporting on drowning like there is the correct spelling of Kyiv. This week, I want to highlight someone who got it RIGHT. I wish the author was credited. As tragic as the story is, the headline perfectly communicates what happened in a way I wish we would see more often.
Universal Orlando Announces Seasonal Closure of Universal Volcano Bay in 2026
If Volcano Bay, a commercial, for-profit water park can close for five months for preventative maintenance, you can justify a two-week annual shutdown.
Swimming season is almost upon us. But soon, public pools won’t get state inspections
Would you eat at a restaurant that inspected itself? Idaho is getting rid of pool inspections, and it's unrelated to the current President.
Judge denies South Haven's immunity claim in drowning lawsuit, cites flag mismanagement
It's not defensible that you didn't do something due to "budget constraints" when you're actively bringing in revenue. Also, arguing that your organization wasn't the actual cause of death (fatal drowning) - in the words of the judge - "this argument misses the mark."
NFL fines Falcons $250,000, Jeff Ulbrich $100,000 for Shedeur Sanders prank call
Yes, this is a football article in a pool newsletter. I think this story speaks very broadly to some of the lax privacy protocols I see in place at swimming pools. Aquatic staff schedules, swimming lesson participant phone numbers, regular swimmer medical conditions - who actually needs to know that information and how is it distributed or secured otherwise?
Piotrowski Park’s Pool To Be Enclosed, Bringing More Year-Round Swimming To West Side
On the heels of Kingston, ON mentioned in last week's newsletter, another community decides to cover their outdoor pool.
Would You Risk Drowning for $500,000?
It's a Mr. Beast stunt, but it's important water safety professionals know what's trending on social media and may be impacting the activities of young people.
Navy SEAL who drowned in Arabian Sea raid given lofty heroism honor
This is not me being critical of the armed forces, but it is factual to state that we continue to see a large number of service members die in heavy equipment incidents. See also 9 deaths in 2020.
Goldfish Swim School Launches Adaptive Swim Lesson Program...
Goldfish may not be a familiar name yet if you live in Canada, but they are one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 170 locations in the USA and another 160 under development. For them to create an adapted swim program will move the needle for a lot of families. Their monthly membership model is not accessible to everyone, but it will raise awareness about the need for adapted aquatics in communities that currently have nothing.
Yas Waterworld's epic expansion promises 12 new rides this summer
In my interview with water park content creator Alex Ojeda, he mentioned this is one of the projects he is most excited about for 2025.
Beyond certification: Improving lifeguard drowning detection through validated tools and specialized training
This study investigated two key aims: (1) the external validity of an animated performance assessment tool previously utilized in lifeguard training, with a focus on how lifeguard experience and task duration affect performance metrics, and (2) the impact of two distinct training protocols on lifeguard-specific drowning detection abilities.
When should you wear a strap on a stand up paddleboard (SUP)?
I didn't realize that I didn't know there was a reason not to wear a strap!
Gull Lake seeking lifeguard in order to open pool for the summer
For our friends in Saskatchewan.
Swimmers sought for cold water study on depression
First Look: New Middle East Wave Pool in Bahrain
Brit rugby player, 21, drowned on family holiday in Cyprus while lifeguards 'messed around on their phones', inquest hears
As a lifeguard instructor, I wish we had more information than "messing with their phones" to understand what we're talking about as contributing factors.
Lastly, over 1m people of Filipino descent live in Canada, and 37% of them on the Prairies. I see dozens in our Certified Pool Operator (CPO) classes each year, and have met even more during a decade of cruising (they make up a large portion of the maritime workforce.)
It can be dangerous to paint one community with a broad brush, but it would be accurate to say that I haven't met a kinder, more gentle & loyal group of people who've consistently invited me into their homes for meals; brought me gifts; and greeted me with a smile and kind spirit, no matter their workload or personal circumstances. The attack in Vancouver last weekend is an unimaginable tragedy for such a tight-knit, global community. Please check on your Filipino colleagues this week.
Katie Crysdale
Lakeview Aquatic Consultants Ltd.