Water security specialists on dangers of pond swimming after 2 teenagers drown in Massachusetts

In the final month, two teenage boys have drowned whereas swimming in Massachusetts ponds.

On Saturday, officers say Kayron Costa, an 18-year-old from Quincy, drowned swimming in Houghton’s Pond in Milton. On Friday, 14-year-old Cody Nguyen of Andover died, weeks after being pulled from Field Pond.

The CDC says drowning is the second main reason behind unintentional demise for youths as much as age 14.

While any physique of water can result in drowning, specialists say there are elements that make ponds or lakes distinctive.

“When we look at lakes, one of those variables is cloudy or turbid water,” mentioned Michael Oostman, a Massachusetts based mostly forensic aquatic professional. “So, you may not be able to see the floor of the lake. You may not be aware of the topography or the drop-off points. You also may be dealing with very, very cold water, which can also shock the system.”

“A lot of kids don’t, or even adults as well, don’t realize that, that you know, the water can go from three feet to nine feet in a matter of inches,” added Boston Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Program Coordinator Barbara DiGirolamo. “We always recommend walking around the water, in the area that you’re going to swim and play before you actually go out and have fun, just so that you know what kind of what you’re getting into.”

There are different misconceptions about drowning, Oostman famous. “So many people believe that drowning, and this is a huge myth, is going to be struggling and loud, and they’re going to be screaming for help, and it’s going to be very overt and obvious that someone is drowning,” he defined. “And in the thousand-plus drownings that I’ve investigated, they are oftentimes very acute, very sudden. There isn’t much splashing. There certainly isn’t any calling out for help, because your airways are compromised.”

In Boston, this system “Swim Safe Boston” has offered free swimming classes to over 20,000 residents since its launch 4 years in the past. Director Jose Masso says the latest drownings are a cost to maintain pushing ahead with water security. 

“As a parent, first and foremost, just condolences to the family members and the loved ones of the young children,” he mentioned, including that this system is “working to prevent this type of tragedy from happening here in the city of Boston.”