Family Uses CPR to Save Toddler Who Nearly Drowned
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HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn.- Deputies said a Reagan mother is responsible for saving her toddler from nearly drowning, Thursday. “He was not breathing when the call came in, his mother gave him CPR and ultimately saved his life,” said Inv. Tracey Grisham of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Dept. Family members told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News the 2-year-old was revived by his mother after he was found floating face down in the deep end of the family’s pool. “His head was kind turned to the side he was floating on the top,” said grandmother, Peggy Grissom. “She got him though and got him back breathing , we are lucky.” The family’s oldest son who is currently taking swimming lessons pulled the little boy to safety. The baby’s mother immediately performed the CPR she had learned from a class years ago, when their pool was first installed. Mother Dia Cole told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News that her son did not start breathing again until she cleared her his airways with two fingers. “if mom hadn’t of been on the ball yesterday, it would have been bad, not could have it would have been bad,” said Grisham. Family members said the mother had turned her back for just a split second to grab a bug repellent and in those moments the 2-year-old somehow slipped out of his life vest. “He is what you call an escape artist he had the life jacket on all day It’s a little thing with the arms and the buckles in the back,” said Grissom. Investigators warn taking eyes off of young children near water even for just a quick moment can be deadly. ” It doesn’t take long to drown. A matter of seconds is all it tales, not a minute or two minutes, just seconds,” said Grisham. “The water is fun with summer coming and a lot of people are going to be in the water just know that you have to respect it.” The little boy was transported to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital where he stayed the night for observation. Family members said he is okay and ready for another swim. They plan to take CPR refresher courses and are encouraging others to learn in case of emergencies. “Go and take your CPR classes,” said Grissom. “Know what to do, it could be chocking or anything with children, you need to know what to do just in case something happens.” Deputies said drowning is the leading cause of accidental death among children ages 1-4.
