The first line I heard in a newscast was upsetting to me. They were the words “Why were there no life guards?” I understand the agony they have, I know that people want to blame someone, and from the facts I heard on Sky News it is without question that the hotel had made some whopping mistakes. quite likely emergency services failed too. I state likely, for the very reason that many places outside Western Europe do not even have anything close to emergency services as most of us know it. For example, in Sydney, where ambulance services are outstanding, moving slightly out of the area, one would go from almost immediate services to services that need 20-40 minutes to get to you. That is a simple and uncomfortable reality!
Australia has had its deep tragic moments of pool accidents with a tragic outcome more than once. When a child under 10 goes into the water you as a parent NEVER EVER leave it alone. Stay with your child until the child becomes a teen. Even if there is a life guard, the simple reason is that if another child calls the life guards attention to act, your child becomes a target for imminent danger. The life guard is there to aid YOU! The life guard should be trained in first aid, he should know resuscitation if needed (we always hope that this is never needed).
I deeply feel for that family and their loss, I would not never ever want to wish this on my worst enemy. My strong words are meant for YOU, all readers with a child under 10, ready to go to a warm place, to enjoy the Greek sun, the Spanish waves or the Italian waters. Water is the foe nature gives you. It is an unrelenting brutal mistress that shows no mercy and gives no quart.
Whenever you take the word of any hotel that there are life guards (and they should be there at all times), do not assume that this gives you time to breath. Always keep one eye of your child, two eyes if possible. The water excites them, it brings joy and they will not realise the dangers water brings. The moment they do, it might likely already be too late to do something about it.
Be safe this summer, both you and your children!
Lawrence van Rijn - Law Lord to be 