An accident still too frequent occurred Thursday, July 3, 2025 in the town of Rocquigny, in the Ardennes. A 12 -year -old teenager drowned in a family above -ground pool installed in the house garden. Despite the rapid intervention of the emergency services, the child could not be resuscitated. According to the first observations, he was bathed alone at the time of the drama and was the victim of discomfort, even though he had a foot in the swimming pool.
A drowning can occur in silence, even in little water
“This type of tragedy recalls that the vigilance remains the best preventionincluding in so -called ‘safe’ swimming pools like above -ground pools “ Alert Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of True Medical. According to him, there is a false impression of safety around shallow basins, installed in family gardens. And yet the figures are there: 60 % of children’s drownings occur in private pools, and one in four concerns family pools.
The peak of drownings occurs each year between June and September, and the above -ground swimming pools, more and more widespread, often escape safety obligations (barriers, alarms, covers) imposed on buried swimming pools. Their temporary or seasonal appearance often leads to less strict surveillance, with sometimes fatal consequences.
Sudden discomfort, possible cause of the drama
In the case of the 12-year-old boy, the first elements indicate that he would have been unwell around 4 p.m. in the water: perhaps hydrocution, a fall in tension, or a heart failure. Recall that discomfort can occur even in healthy children, especially after exposure to the sun, a meal, or in case of fatigue or hypoglycemia.
“A drowning does not look like the agitated scenes that we imagine, it is often silent and fastespecially in the event of sudden loss of knowledge “ Recalls Dr. Kierzek.
Specific dangers in above -ground pools
In addition to the frequent absence of security equipment, it is also useful to recall that these swimming pools that can be quickly rising at home presents their own risks. Dr. Kierzek lists the most frequent.
- Often easy access for childrenwithout supervision or protection;
- A misleading depthwhich can give a false feeling of security (yes you have a foot, but that does not prevent the risk);
- Slides and falls frequent on the outskirts often damp;
- And filtration systems which can create dangerous aspiration areas.
Safety rules are even essential in the event of a small pool
Faced with these risks, Prevention is vital. Dr. Kierzek recommends following these fundamental rulesoften neglected:
- Never swim alonewhatever the age or level of swimming;
- Constant monitoring by an attentive adult;
- Safety equipment installation : barriers, alarms, rescue pole;
- Learning swimming From an early age, as well as first aid gestures;
- Awareness of children at water risks, even at home.
In case of emergency: Reminder of reflexes
If an accident occurs:
- Immediately call 15 or 112.
- Get the victim out of the water If this can be done without danger.
- Practice first aidin particular heart massage if the child no longer breathes.
“Just just a few minutes of inattentioneven in a shallow swimming pool, so that swimming turns a nightmare “concludes Dr. Kierzek.