Olympic Swimmer Cullen Jones Recollects Nearly Drowning

The next was instructed to Maressa Brown by Olympic gold medalist Cullen Jones.

After I practically drowned at 5 years previous, I used to be totally supervised—lifeguards have been there, my dad and mom have been there. I used to be at a water park in Pennsylvania. I used to be following my dad down a water slide. He went down, after which, I got here down, and I flipped the other way up. I had not had swim classes, so I didn’t know what to do. I panicked. 

I needed to be totally resuscitated by a lifeguard, and once I awoke, the primary phrases out of my mouth have been, “What’s the subsequent journey we’re getting on?” I used to be effective. However at 14, once I was making an attempt to get higher on the 100 freestyle, I used to be having points—virtually like trauma. I bear in mind coming dwelling, and I used to be explaining it to my mother, and she or he instructed me all the small print of that day on the water park and stated, “I virtually misplaced you that day.” 

That’s why, about six months after the incident, my mother received me into swim classes. It took me about 5 totally different lecturers till I met Coach Brad, who received me snug across the water. By 8 years previous, I had joined a aggressive crew. 

My mother would say, “We spent all day at a swim meet, and you continue to need to go to the pool to play?” I used to be like, “Yeah.” And that’s when she instructed me that being within the water and instructing others about it was my calling.

I grew to become a lifeguard, and I began giving classes. It felt proper; it clicked. Telling youthful swimmers what I used to be studying helped me to know what I used to be doing within the water as an athlete. I additionally simply discovered a lot pleasure in watching somebody do bubbles for the primary time, put their face within the water, and conquer that concern. I liked with the ability to change somebody’s notion of water—going from, “Oh, my God, no, I do not try this” to “I do not need to get out!”

That was again in my teenagers, and I haven’t stopped since. ​​I’ve change into a giant advocate for water security.

Each summer time, as temperatures warmth up, youngsters love stepping into the pool. Youngsters are drawn to the water and they’re going to do something to get close to the water. So the No. 1 factor we would like folks to know is the significance of water security and studying. 

For the third 12 months in a row, I’m teaming up with the nation’s main pool retailer, Leslie’s, as a result of we share a ardour for the significance of swimming classes and water security training. 

Fatherhood Has Strengthened His Mission

I’m much more enthusiastic about this nowadays as the daddy to my 5-year-old son Ayvn. I’ve had my son within the water since he was 6 months previous. Now, each single day, I hear, “Daddy, are we going swimming in the present day?”

What I need dad and mom to know is that we are able to get forward of an unlucky, damaging expertise by having optimistic, instructional experiences.

I will always remember, in 2010, I went to Shreveport, Louisiana, after six kids drowned one after one other, every making an attempt to avoid wasting the kid earlier than. None of those kids had ever had swim classes. I could not even maintain again tears, however I additionally gave some classes to a few the children locally.

Initially, they did not need to even sit with their toes within the water. And in half-hour, they have been screaming at me and crying as a result of they did not need to get out of the water. That’s the optimistic expertise—and an important factor for a kid who’s frightened of the water. They’ll profit from a instructor who can clarify that water could be your greatest pal, however it’s important to respect it as a result of we’re not constructed for it. We do not have gills.

Suggestions for Swim Security for All

As a Black male, I additionally really feel strongly that we have to cease the narrative that Black folks do not swim. Sixty-four p.c of Black, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian kids have little to no swimming capacity, and that’s a motive persons are drowning and dying. It’s a U.S. downside. Drowning is a number one reason for dying for kids 1 to 4 years previous, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).

To start to deal with this epidemic, it’s a should for everybody to know the three fundamental tenets of water security:

• Study to swim with formal classes.
• Make it possible for youngsters are swimming in sanitized, secure, clear water to protect towards micro organism. (Routine pool water testing is essential to sustaining correct water steadiness for secure swimming water.)
• Safe your pool space when it’s not in use to be able to guarantee that youngsters are secure. You should use fences, gate locks, alarms, and pool security covers. (Many native legal guidelines require fencing on the naked minimal. Test together with your native municipality or HOA to make certain you’re in compliance.)

A fourth and last tenant: Have enjoyable.

Swimming has modified my life. It has allowed me to care for my household, journey the world, present my mother the world. It has been among the finest issues in my total life. I don’t need households to think about it as one thing scary, as a result of it doesn’t need to be. What dad and mom should know is that swim classes are crucial. It’s a life ability—and one that can save lives.