TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. -- Paramedics responded to a call about a child drowning in a family pool last month.
East Lake Fire Rescue responded and shared the story on Facebook.
The post read, "A family was getting ready for one of their children's pool party so they took their safety fence down and turned the pool heater on as they set up their decorations. Even though they had an alarm system set up in their home (which advised the parents every time the door leading to the pool area opened), they left the doors wide open because they were going in and out to prepare for the party."
Lt. Jared Carlson responded to the call and saw the child's father carrying the unresponsive toddler.
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"The dad did CPR before we got there and apparently was doing some decent quality CPR to the point where the child did have a pulse, but was not breathing," said Lt. Carlson.
"I knew something was wrong, the color was purple and blue and didn't appear to be breathing," added Lt. Carlson.
Lt. Carlson used a device called a "bag valve mask" on the child before the toddler was transported to a hospital.
"By the time they got to the hospital, the child was crying vigorously and that's exactly what you want to hear... a crying baby in that instant," said Lt. Carlson.
The child was released from the hospital the next day with no issues.
East Lake Fire Rescue shared the story on Facebook to remind parents of safety measures around a pool. Pool safety starts with supervision.
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Experts also recommend having childproof door locks and door alarms on the doors leading to the pool.
The pool area should have a safety fence installed around the pool. Keep toys and floating objects out of the pool and enroll children in swim lessons.
"They had everything in place for a child in the house with a pool. They had a gate. They had alarms. They had everything. They took swimming lessons and this just goes to show you when you prepare for everything just one little lapse and not paying attention can cost someone their life," said Lt. Carlson.
According to the CDC, children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates.
For more tips and facts about water safety, click here.
