With temperatures increasing and pandemic restrictions due to be lifted later this month, officials and activists dedicated to preventing drownings gathered last week at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center to urge safety as Pasadenans begin flocking to swimming pools.
The conference, which coincided with California’s inaugural Drowning Prevention Week for Children, was hosted by Pasadena City Councilman Tyron Hampton, who used the occasion to share a personal goal.
“I’m going to tell you, as one person that lives in this community right down the street from the pool, I don’t know how to swim myself,” he said. “So I’m going to let everybody know today, in public, that I want to learn how to swim before the end of the year.”
Hampton was joined by Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Austin, aquatics center officials, and representatives of the Meow Meow Foundation, which was established by the parents of 6-year-old Roxie Forbes following her drowning at an Altadena summer camp in June 2019.
Augustin remarked it was a beautiful day for a swim.
“This beautiful day could turn tragic in a matter of moments,” he said. “As you may have already heard, drowning is the number one preventable cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. And it’s the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 9.
“Drownings can happen in a matter of seconds,” the chief said. “Swimming is a great recreational sport, and we want it to be enjoyed by all ages, but we want it to be done safely.”
Children should never be left unattended in or near water, even for a moment, he said. Those who cannot swim or can’t swim well should always wear life jackets when in or near pools.
Augustin reminded those who have pools to secure them with barriers.
“If a child is missing, don’t delay: Look to the water first. Those are precious seconds or minutes. That can be the difference between life and death,” he said.
Dr. Greg Geisler of the Pasadena-based Southern California Heart Specialists spoke about the value of knowing CPR, or having people who know how to perform it near pools.
“One of the major concerns of this is that if someone has a cardiac arrest or a loss of heart function outside of the hospital and not near a paramedic, the likelihood that someone performs CPR is only about 40%. That is astonishing,” he said.
“We do know that if you perform CPR — of any kind of bystander CPR — the benefit of survival is over doubled,” Geisler added. “Just performing chest compressions at a rate of a hundred compressions per minute doubles the overall survival.”
The first step when dealing with a potential drowning is to call for help, Geisler said.
“But what is the most important way to prevent drowning is to be vigilant around the pool. And especially for us, come June 15th, there’s likely going to be pool parties.”
The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center has partnered with the Pasadena Unified School District to provide free swim lessons since 1991, said RBAC Director of Swim Lessons Cristina Alvarado.
“Unfortunately, due to COVID, the program was put on a temporary pause. However, we are committed to bringing back the program as soon as it is safe to do so,” Alvarado said.
Learning to swim is not only a recreational activity, Alvarado said.
“Simply put: It is a life saving skill,” she said. “According to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, formal swimming lessons reduce the risk of drowning among children ages 1 to 4 by 88%. If we combine formal swim lessons with proper supervision and proper barriers, eliminating drowning is well within our reach.”
Charles Brown, a member of the Meow Meow Foundation board of directors, commended the RBAC for its efforts.
“The Rose Bowl Aquatics Center has a wonderful learn to swim program for Pasadena third graders,” Brown said. “The Meow Meow Foundation would like to propose and pledge to support and partner with the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center and find ways to expand that program to kindergarteners and preschool and first graders and second graders, because we know that that is such a critical age to learn to swim.”
More information on the Meow Meow Foundation is available on the organization’s website at meowmeowfoundation.org.
Get our daily Pasadena newspaper in your email box. Free.
Get all the latest Pasadena news, more than 10 fresh stories daily, 7 days a week at 7 a.m.
5 thoughts on “Officials Urge Water Safety in Pasadena”
Dr. Greg Geisler never has anything positive to say. He is incompetent. Also, how does a Dr. fail to mention that 100 chest compressions could possibly break and/or fracture someone’s ribs? Looking at the bright side of things, at least he is not talking about how he likes to give up on his patients. Stick to coaching soccer.
Dr. Gregory Geisler has a bad reputation in the Pasadena community. I heard he sexually harassed one of his patients and treated another family with disrespect. There is a signature campaign going around against him that will eventually reach the State of CA. I don’t trust him.
Dr. Greg Geisler Is known in the community to be a vicious predator. He gave up on my buddy and treated his family with utter disrespect. He is not welcome here.
Dr. Greg Geisler is trash. How about you save your patient’s life for once.
Dr. Greg Geisler Doesn’t know is ABC’s. What does he know about CPR? That guy is a creep. I hope he goes to jail for manslaughter.