Near Drowning--Child Found in Ladera Ranch Community Pool

UPDATE:

Orange County Fire Authority has updated the age of the child in Friday's near-drowning event. The child in the Ladera Ranch pool was 5-years-old.

"The child in question was mistakenly reported by the father with a birth year that equated to a two-year-old in the reports," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said.

The boy is still hospitalized today, according to reports

Additional reports state that a mother also assisted with the recovery of the boy from the pool--jumping in fully clothed to assist.

"She saw the boy was blue, and jumped in to help get the boy out of the water," Concialdi said.

Mission Viejo, CA—A near drowning this morning has left a child in serious condition today in Ladera Ranch.

“The toddler was found face up in Ladera Ranch community swimming pool," Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Steve Concialdi said in interview. "The 5-year-old boy was under the supervision of a babysitter."

The 9-1-1 call came in just before 11 a.m. According to Concialdi, an off duty firefighter/paramedic noticed the child floating face up, and pulled the boy out of the pool.

"(The firefighter/paramedic) immediately did a few back blows to expel water,” Concialdi said. “The child then started vomiting.”

Firefighters and paramedics arrived shortly thereafter and transported the child to the Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo.

“The child’s parents were contacted and the father was waiting at the hospital,” Concialdi said.

At this time, more information on the boy’s condition is not known.

Drowning in Orange County is on the rise, and is a preventable tragedy, according to Concialdi. It is the leading cause of accidental injury and death in children under the age of five-years-old and the second leading cause of death in children under the age of 14.

"Small children need to be at arms length of whoever is watching them. When they are small, many don’t swim well or know how to swim at all," he said. "If you are old enough to babysit, you should take CPR classes."

Orange County Fire Authority stresses the A-B-C of drowning prevention:

• A- Active super vision of a responsible person, not distracted by cell phone, talking to others, or leaving child unattended in water.
• B - Barriers around backyard pools,
• C – Classes. Swimming lessons for young children, teens and adults should learn CPR

For more information, visit: OCFA.org--Drowning Prevention