2 kids nearly drown in Orange County; parents reminded to keep watch

IRVINE, Calif. (KABC) -- Authorities have an important message for parents after two children nearly drowned in separate incidents in Orange County over the weekend. The close calls are a reminder for parents to keep a close watch on their kids whether they think the children can swim or not.

A 3-year-old boy swimming in a community pool at the Corte Bella condo complex in Irvine was surrounded by adults and children when he silently slipped underwater.

"The mother actually was the one who recognized and screamed in horror," said witness Robin Cowan, who helped with CPR. "It was very surreal. He was not breathing."

The boy's father, a physician, pulled him from the water and started CPR.

"He gave two breaths. I was ready for chest compressions," said Cowan.

Cowan says after about five minutes, the boy started throwing up. Paramedics transported the child to the hospital.

"I think we were all thinking, 'Thank God he's breathing.' But I could tell he was very disoriented, so even though he was conscious, he wasn't back to normal," said Cowan.

Officials say the boy is doing better and has since been released from the hospital.

Ninety minutes after that incident, in Mission Viejo, firefighters responded to another call involving a six-year-old girl. They say she knew how to swim but something went wrong.

"Unfortunately, she was left unattended in the backyard pool with her 3-year-old sister. When the dad came out and checked on them, the 6-year-old was at the bottom of the pool," said Capt. Steve Concialdi with the Orange County Fire Authority.

Authorities say the father pulled her out of the pool, and an off-duty paramedic next door came to help until firefighters got there.

"When they arrived on scene, she was not breathing and she did not have a pulse," said Concialdi.

Officials say the girl regained a pulse while in the ambulance. She remains in critical condition and is on a ventilator in the hospital.

The girl is among 15 drownings or near drownings so far this year in Orange County. Six were fatal.

Many children receive lessons early on, but experts say that's still not enough.

"Almost all drownings are preventable," said Johnny Johnson, chairman of Safer 3 Water Safety Foundation. "There is always some risk when you're in, on or around the water. The risk never goes away."

Experts say uninterrupted supervision is key.

"Designate one responsible adult to sit away from the crowd...have a water watcher on duty, and we could save countless lives every year," said Johnson.