OPP West Region is reminding swimmers to put safety first after a 13-year-old girl in Norfolk County nearly drowned in the family pool.
Norfolk Cst. Ed Sanchuck said first responders were called to a home in the county earlier this week.
"The good news out of this story is that mom and dad jumped into action, pulled their 13-year-old daughter from the bottom of the pool and immediately commenced CPR," said Sanchuck. "She was transported to a local area hospital by Norfolk County Paramedic Services, and I am glad to say that she is going to make a full recovery."
Cst. Sanchuck said regardless of where you're swimming or how strong a swimmer you are, you can stay safe by wearing a PFD or a life jacket, by having a buddy system and by letting somebody know when you're going swimming and when you plan on coming back.
"I'm a dad myself and I couldn't even imagine what these parents were going through when they located their daughter at the bottom of the pool," said Sanchuck. "They did conduct CPR immediately -- if you don't know CPR, get out there and get trained-up on CPR because you could save somebody's life. In this case here, this young lady was saved by her parents and the medical staff that have assisted her with ongoing care."
Earlier this month, a 21-year-old Michigan man drowned after jumping into the St. Clair River.
On Monday, an 18-year-old male from Chatham drowned near Manitoulin Island.
