A boy was left unattended in a north-side public pool. A former Edmonton group home caregiver admitted in court that she left a 7-year old boy who drowned unattended.
Drowning ordeal
Karlynn Willer stated in a provincial court that she took 3 children to the O’Leary Fitness and Leisure Centre but allowed Curran and a 10-year old girl to swim on their own while she took the younger child to the wading pool. She stated that she made a mistake that day and should have stayed with Jefferson.
The former caregiver at the Stepping Stones Group Home testified that she was aware of the under-eight rules at the pool which specifies that any children under that must always be supervised  and be within arm’s length of the person responsible for the child.
Sadly, she made the mistake of going to the wading pool. Two former lifeguards at the pool who had been on duty on the day of the drowning and a woman who witnessed the incident while there with her 4 children all cried while giving their testimony.
Alynn Yaremko told the inquiry she had been stationed by the main pool when a boy came up and told her he saw someone under the water. She asked a woman who was near Curran to tap him. She quickly realized he was unconscious and jumped into the pool. Yaremko testified she and another lifeguard both started CPR until a firefighter and paramedics showed up and took over.
Watery safety
During water activities, proper safety must always be observed. It is also recommended to be prepared for emergencies by enrolling in a first aid course. Learning the essential life-saving techniques including CPR can help save a life by improving the chances of survival.
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LEARN MORE
Learn how to help by enrolling in a class on first aid and CPR and for more information, check out these sources:
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/drowning-in-children#1
https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/cardiopulmonary-resuscitation-cpr-for-children