Olympic Swimmer Cullen Jones Recollects Virtually Drowning

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

Once I almost drowned at 5 years outdated, I used to be absolutely supervised—lifeguards had been there, my mother and father had been there.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 absolutely resuscitated by a lifeguard, and once I wakened, the primary phrases out of my mouth had been, “What’s the following journey we’re getting on?” I used to be high quality. 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 residence, and I used to be explaining it to my mother, and he or she advised me all the main points 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 bought me into swim classes. It took me about 5 completely different academics till I met Coach Brad, who bought me comfy across the water. By 8 years outdated, I had joined a aggressive group. 

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

I turned a lifeguard, and I began giving classes. It felt proper; it clicked. Telling youthful swimmers what I used to be studying helped me to grasp 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 worry. I cherished having the ability to change somebody’s notion of water—going from, “Oh, my God, no, I do not try this” to “I do not wish to get out!”

That was again in my teenagers, and I haven’t stopped since. ​​I’ve turn out to be an enormous advocate for water security.

Each summer season, as temperatures warmth up, children 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 individuals to grasp 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 schooling. 

Fatherhood Has Strengthened His Mission

I’m much more captivated with this today as the daddy to my 5-year-old son Ayvn. I’ve had my son within the water since he was 6 months outdated. Now, each single day, I hear, “Daddy, are we going swimming right now?”

What I need mother and father to grasp is that we will get forward of an unlucky, destructive expertise by having optimistic, academic experiences.

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

Initially, they did not wish to even sit with their toes within the water. And in half-hour, they had been screaming at me and crying as a result of they did not wish 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 finest 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 individuals do not swim. Sixty-four p.c of Black, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian youngsters have little to no swimming potential, and that’s a motive persons are drowning and dying. It’s a U.S. drawback. Drowning is a number one reason for loss of life for kids 1 to 4 years outdated, in accordance with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).

To start to sort out this epidemic, it’s a should for everybody to grasp the three fundamental tenets of water security:

• Study to swim with formal classes.
• Be sure that children are swimming in sanitized, secure, clear water to protect in opposition to micro organism. (Routine pool water testing is essential to sustaining correct water stability for secure swimming water.)
• Safe your pool space when it’s not in use with a purpose to make it possible for children are secure. You need to 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 sure you might be in compliance.)

A fourth and closing 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 best issues in my whole life. I don’t need households to consider it as one thing scary, as a result of it doesn’t should be. What mother and father should know is that swim classes are essential. It’s a life ability—and one that can save lives.