RIP Donny Everett. Saddest condolences to family and friends.
Boaters nearby tried rescue, but failed ?? Aren't boats required by law to have life-vests on board ?
If so, that means there were 4 vests in that boat and 1 drowning man in the water ??
This type tragic event megaphones loudly the need for practiced calm self-rescue in swimming.
The first part of dealing with watersports must be how to not panic - keep calm control in that
threatening situation. Dad's,.. teach your novice swimmer child surprise-like swim-events. Make it
a game, reinforcing holding breath, staying under as long as can, and calmly surfacing. Cause them
to recognize how much total control they do have. Especially make sure your child realizes how he/she
can float safely for hours = the bigger you've inflated your lungs the higher "above" the water you stay.
Make sure you imbue them with the real experience of recognizing that when he/she exhales he/she
sinks, no panic, inhale quick enough to stay up.
