Rooster’s daughter update: Happy news but let’s all enhance Thailand’s safety with positive engagement

[rooster59]

ASEAN NOW’s Sunday columnist - a long time British resident of Thailand - highlights the issue of swimming pool and other safety matters in the kingdom.

 

Firstly, my heartfelt thanks to the large number of posters who offered their support to me and my family in the wake of the serious incident at my condo pool last week that I wrote about in "The Week That Was" column. Your concern was touching and many comments showed how this had affected members in a very personal way. 

 

There is excellent news. My eight year old daughter was taken off assisted breathing on Monday morning at the National Children’s Hospital, is now out of ICU and with her mum 24/7 in a communal ward. Covid restrictions mean I and my younger daughter can’t visit but we have been overjoyed by video calls. My daughter is tired but speaking lucidly, cuddling mum and teddy and can’t wait to get back home. We count ourselves lucky as everyone continues the road to fuller recovery.

 

On Thursday the little girl caught her hair in the suction drain of the children’s section of our condo pool, just 40 cms deep. My wife was sitting only meters away and, after being alerted by my five year old to the fact that her sister had been under the water for a while, heroically sprung into action performing CPR and saving our child’s life. Brilliant medical services have done the rest.

 

I would very much like what happened to be a catalyst for enhanced pool safety and other safety issues in Thailand and today I’m highlighting some key points and encouraging some initial, practical measures everyone can take.

 

My daughter's long hair became entangled in the drain. Of all worldwide entrapment issues - such as hair and limbs of both adults and children in public and private pools - about one quarter involve children’s hair.

 

In California, for example, legislation was enacted in 2007 that has vastly increased safety by better design, fittings and awareness. People should not wait for law changes in Thailand, though. Grassroots action can prompt improvement.

 

People who have their own pools and residents of condominiums and housing projects that have pools should be checking their own facilities. If you lack expertise or don’t feel confident ask for help.

 

Suction pipes should have proper covers with cracked or faulty covers replaced. The amount of pressure used should be monitored if possible. In our case the pressure seemed to have increased after a refurbishment and repair that took several rainy-season months.

 

The pool looked great but a hidden danger lurked beneath that nearly took the life of my child.

 

Most condo pools have those standard ten “Do’s and Don’t’s” signs. No food, parents must be there, wear a costume, shower before entering.

 

Juristic persons should be encouraged to amend these with warnings about possible entrapment especially regarding long hair. For example they might advise hair to be tied back or for children to wear caps.

 

And maybe not just children; my wife reported that the suction in this case was so powerful that an adult may have been unable to free themselves.

 

Condos may also like to consider installing cut-out devices that cost about $500 that detect a change in pressure and switch down systems automatically when a problem is detected.

 

Parents should be aware that poolside vigilance of children is not a simple matter. My wife took it very seriously (she wouldn’t have dreamed of having a phone, for example) - I was an inspector of international school trips for 15 years and demanded that. Yet it still happened.

 

Observers need to maintain what is called line of sight at all times. Pool tragedies occur in the blink of an eye and cause a lifetime of regret. 

 

Also bear in mind that death from drowning is nearly always silent. This is counter-intuitive as we imagine thrashing of limbs during death throes as people fight for air. 

 

No. Adults and children invariably slip or are already under the water. There’s no noise; while you’re smiling and enjoying a happy conversation and proud to be present and looking after your child they may be turning blue and already unconscious near your feet.

 

Online forums - and ASEAN NOW is no exception - often feature endless criticism about safety issues in Thailand but little practical action to improve things. I believe in being proactive and engaging with companies and organizations to improve safety.

 

When businesses accept that their bottom line is actually improved by spending money on safety, action follows.

 

Condos might sell more units or hotels attract more guests by highlighting that they go beyond recommendations, for example. Outdoor education companies find their clientele increase and stay loyal.

 

It is also important that one incident does not detract from existing problems in other areas. As Expeditions’ Coordinator when I gave briefings for parents at my school ahead of residential visits, I always reminded them that while I took rock-climbing or abseiling safety very seriously, it was the pool that represented the greatest danger - or for very young children in rooms alone for the first time plugs and electrical fittings. 

 

Or the journey to the resort, lest we forget the dangers on the roads! Reputable companies with rested drivers were monitored and bus transport was never undertaken at night, for example. 

 

In the wake of the 2004 Asian Tsunami everyone was obsessed by the threat from the sea. I cautioned not to underestimate perennial dangers right under your nose, overlooking the obvious after a trauma induced by the exceptional.

 

Such matters as stairs and easily accessible sharp or swallowable objects around babies, low balconies and unlocked gates - seemingly obvious things - all fall into this category amid many others. Not to mention helmets and car-seats.

 

I’m a great believer in allowing our children to not be in cotton wool - to be allowed to develop and fly. We need to be vigilant and focus on what matters and educate them to clear and present danger. Not scare them but inform and focus their minds as they develop.

 

So please engage with Thai people in encouraging safety. Forget the stupid trolling of onliners who talk about “life being cheap in the third world”. Thais care about the safety of themselves and their children as much as the next nationality - education about the dangers and consequences of inaction or poor behaviour are what matter.

 

As a foreigner don’t be shy about “interferring in THEIR country”. They will appreciate your concern especially if it is done sensitively and not from a “we know best” angle. 

 

Don’t expect EU or US standards to be met overnight. Those areas of the world, for example, took decades to enhance safety and it continues even there. Striving to achieve the best world standards is what matters. 

 

I used to tell my worried, hi-so parents about to be parted from their precious children, that we aimed to exceed the standards mentioned under Thai law, and work towards achieving what is normal practice in more developed countries gradually, by adopting practical engagement.

 

Finally, everyone should be learning CPR - including the latest accepted techniques. Attending a good course is great but it could just be looking at some YouTube videos. 

 

My wife knew what to do. Had she not we may have been watching the smoke rising from the temple crematorium by now rather than making merit in thanks for avoiding tragedy.

 

Learn and teach the Heimlich Maneuver used to expel trapped food. But bear in mind that advice changes and better techniques are developed in time. Both CPR and Heimlich advice has changed this century - update yourself and improve your chances of being a hero rather than a grieving parent.  

 

Insist on proper life jackets worn during water travel and even at the water’s edge . Even if people can swim. 

 

Remember that pool tragedies often occur with diving injuries resulting in collisions with pool edges or pool bottoms. Be aware of depths.

 

Above all, teach your child to swim. Any parent can do it from just a few months of a child's age; seek advice on the best way you can help your child or Thais around you who might be reticent.

 

Remember that drowning rivals motorcycle accidents as the leading cause of child death in Thailand.

 

But never forget that even if you or your child CAN swim, danger lurks wherever there is water. 

 

And perhaps ponder that even with all my experience and cocksure awareness:

 

That tragedy nearly visited my beloved family.

 

Rooster

 

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[fangless]

16 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

My wife knew what to do. Had she not we may have been watching the smoke rising from the temple crematorium by now rather than making merit in thanks for avoiding tragedy.

That comment, or something similarly appropriate, should be in every public area where danger lurks!

I really had tears in my eyes reading it.

 

Thank you Rooster for sharing the above and the original column and may whatever gods etc anyone follows (if any) be praised for your daughter's recovery.

[hamdan5485]

Great news indeed Rooster. Speedy recovery for your little princess and she'll be home soon.

[herfiehandbag]

I am glad that your daughter is recovering.

 

I agree totally with what you have written regarding both parental responsibility and proper maintenance and equipment design.

[Rampant Rabbit]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

I would very much like what happened to be a catalyst for enhanced pool safety and other safety issues in Thailand and today

They dont and wont learn, nothing will  change, others  will  drown, life is  cheap...welcome to Thailand the land of  happy smiling  Thais

[Rampant Rabbit]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Remember that drowning rivals motorcycle accidents as the leading cause of child death in Thailand.

 

And  look  how well theyve dealt with  the roadkill obver the last 20  years.

[josephbloggs]

44 minutes ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

They dont and wont learn, nothing will  change, others  will  drown, life is  cheap...welcome to Thailand the land of  happy smiling  Thais

You obviously didn't read all the way down to here:

So please engage with Thai people in encouraging safety. Forget the stupid trolling of onliners who talk about “life being cheap in the third world”. Thais care about the safety of themselves and their children as much as the next nationality - education about the dangers and consequences of inaction or poor behaviour are what matter.

Your bitterness / hatred clouds everything, give it a rest, especially in a thread like this one.

[Partenavia]

Fantastic outcome, and it's highlighted a problem I hadn't realised existed. My daughter has lessons in a pool where she is required to wear a hat, however, when the lesson is finished the kids all move into another pool for some fun, and the hats often come off. 

[Grusa]

7 hours ago, Rampant Rabbit said:

They dont and wont learn, nothing will  change, others  will  drown, life is  cheap...welcome to Thailand the land of  happy smiling  Thais

True that. Sadly.

[RobU]

Excellent news, good advice

[Golden Triangle]

Very glad to hear that your daughter is out of ICU, she will be home soon, that is very good news. Take care of the kiddies Rooster.

[RayC]

Excellent news. Hope that you are reunited with your wife and daughter soon.

[jts-khorat]

I was once witness to a similar near drowning in a pool at a golf course on Phuket, where there was often a whole group of small children playing with each other. Water depth there was less than a meter, all the children were taller than this.

 

One of them slipped, maybe it hit its head; it was under water for quite some time with the other children playing on right around it. Therefore it was pure good luck that somebody saw the boy under the water, jumped in and hauled him out. A minute longer in this state and the difference in outcome would have been quite horrifying; even so he needed to be treated in hospital.

 

I also watched those children play at this time, albeit cursorely as none of them were mine then, but did not notice anything amiss at all. Since this moment I have always watched my own kids like a hawk whenever near water, even if they can stand up in it easily by themselves.

[Tug]

I’m delighted to hear your little one is recovering and a big shout out to mama rooster and your little chickadee for raising the alarm well done!

[ancharee]

Glad to hear your daughter is out of danger, I was at the funeral of a 6 year old girl last week my son who is also 6 would play with her couple of times a week, the girl went to a local pond with her 9 year old brother neither could swim seems she was standing in shallow water near the edge and water from the klong was diverted into the pond and she was swept away her brother ran to get help but it was to late, mother and father in bangkok working and they were staying with grandma ,absolutely tragic .