Olympic Swimmer Cullen Jones Recollects Virtually Drowning

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

After I practically drowned at 5 years previous, I used to be absolutely 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 wrong 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 awoke, the primary phrases out of my mouth have been, “What’s the subsequent trip we’re getting on?” I used to be advantageous. However at 14, once I was attempting to get higher on the 100 freestyle, I used to be having points—virtually like trauma. I keep in mind coming residence, and I used to be explaining it to my mother, and she or he 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 received me into swim classes. It took me about 5 totally different academics till I met Coach Brad, who received me snug across the water. By 8 years previous, I had joined a aggressive group. 

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 advised me that being within the water and educating 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 turn into 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’ll do something to get close to the water. So the No. 1 factor we wish 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 schooling. 

Fatherhood Has Strengthened His Mission

I’m much more enthusiastic about this lately 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 immediately?”

What I need dad and mom to know is that we will get forward of an unlucky, damaging expertise by having constructive, academic experiences.

I am going to always remember, in 2010, I went to Shreveport, Louisiana, after six kids drowned one after one other, every attempting to save lots of 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 youngsters 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 constructive expertise—and an important factor for a kid who’s petrified of the water. They’ll profit from a trainer who can clarify that water will be your finest pal, however it’s a must 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 skill, and that’s a cause persons are drowning and dying. It’s a U.S. downside. Drowning is a number one reason behind dying for kids 1 to 4 years previous, 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 know the three fundamental tenets of water security:

• Be taught to swim with formal classes.
• Guarantee that children are swimming in sanitized, protected, clear water to protect towards micro organism. (Routine pool water testing is essential to sustaining correct water steadiness for protected swimming water.)
• Safe your pool space when it’s not in use with the intention to guarantee that children are protected. You should utilize fences, gate locks, alarms, and pool security covers. (Many native legal guidelines require fencing on the naked minimal. Examine along with your native municipality or HOA to make certain you’re in compliance.)

A fourth and ultimate tenant: Have enjoyable.

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