Death of Bode Miller’s Daughter Reiterates Need For Drowning Prevention Knowledge

generic-lane-rope-lane-line-outdoor-arizona-high-school-sports

U.S. Olympic skier Bode Miller’s 19-month-old daughter Emeline Miller drowned in a Southern California swimming pool, authorities said Monday.

She died at an Orange County hospital Sunday, the day after paramedics tried unsuccessfully to revive her after the drowning incident, multiple news outlets reported.

“We are beyond devastated,” Miller said on an Instagram post on Tuesday.”Never in a million years did we think we would experience a pain like this. Her love, her light, her spirit will never be forgotten. Our little girl loved life and lived it to its fullest every day.”

​Drowning is a leading cause of death among children, including infants and toddlers, according to healthychildren.org. Most infant drownings occur in bathtubs and buckets. Toddlers between 1 and 4 years most commonly drown in swimming pools. However, many children in this age group drown in ponds, rivers, and lakes. It is important to know that children can drown in even one inch of water and anyone who has come close to drowning needs a medical exam.

The death was under investigation, the Orange County sheriff’s office told The Associated Press.

Here are some things to know, according to healthychildren.org:

What You Should Do in a Drowning Emergency:

  • Get your child out of the water immediately, then check to see if she is breathing on her own. If she is not, begin CPR immediately.
  • If someone else is present, send him or her to call for emergency medical help, but don’t spend precious moments looking for someone, and don’t waste time trying to drain water from your child’s lungs.
  • Concentrate instead on giving her rescue breathing and CPR until she is breathing on her own. Vomiting of swallowed water is very likely during CPR.
  • Only when the child’s breathing has resumed should you stop and seek emergency help. Call 911. Once the paramedics arrive, they will administer oxygen and continue CPR if necessary.

Drowning Prevention: Know the Warning Signs

These signs may signal that a child or adult is in danger of drowning:

  • Head low in the water, mouth at water level
  • Head tilted back with mouth open
  • Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
  • Eyes closed
  • Hair over forehead or eyes
  • Not using legs — vertical
  • Hyperventilating or gasping
  • Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
  • Trying to roll over on the back
  • Appear to be climbing an invisible ladder
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use

13 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tracey Richards Chiulli

?

Linda Williams Crosier

?

Bob McKeon
5 years ago

So sorry

Melissa Arzave
5 years ago

Jocelyn Heredia teaching y’all how to swim asap

Jocelyn Heredia
5 years ago
Reply to  Melissa Arzave

yes

Meg Murphy
5 years ago

I’ve always been a firm believer that swimming is a skill first and a sport second. So sad.

Joni Johnston Neidigh
5 years ago

So so sad.

Jim Bowser
5 years ago

Tragic

Michael Maloney
Michael Maloney
5 years ago

Here’s some DROWNING prevention advise…..WATCH YOUR CHILDREN…..no 19 month old should be out of sight for 1 second near a pool…at a NEIGHBORS house..during a PARTY…this is NOT an ACCIDENT..it is NEGLECT…..I will take on ALL comers who want to argue my point..I’LL WAIT….and yes it is sad and yes it is tragic…but 100 percent AVOIDABLE….

Vincent DeMartino
Vincent DeMartino
5 years ago

Kids are in more danger when a group of adults is around, vs just a few or one or two, due to distraction.. Good to have a plan for watching the little one(s), with designated adult who does NOTHING but watch that child.. Also, if there is a pool young kids ALL wear life jackets.. A very long child Never splashes, screams out, wails or makes any other signs they are drowning, they literally just slip in over their heads and its soon over.. Soo sad..

cynthia curran
cynthia curran
5 years ago

I got into trouble with people on the LA Times and Orange County Register Facebook by stating that Bode Miller lived in a wealthy part of Orange County and could have given his daughter swim lessons since there are lots of swim schools near Mission Viejo. I was called insensitived.

Michael Maloney
Michael Maloney
5 years ago
Reply to  cynthia curran

Just because you speak the truth about a “SAD” topic will make you a target…just like talking about the Holocaust..you can never be right about anything if you chose to share your opinion..which is opposite of what “Society” deems appropriate…just like the Master OOGWAY said…there are NO accidents…

Vincent DeMartino
Vincent DeMartino
5 years ago

Kids are in more danger when a group of adults is around, vs just a few or one or two, due to distraction.. Good to have a plan for watching the little one(s), with designated adult who does NOTHING but watch that child.. Also, if there is a pool young kids ALL wear life jackets.. A very long child Never splashes, screams out, wails or makes any other signs they are drowning, they literally just slip in over their heads and its soon over.. Soo sad..

13
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x