Update: Details emerge on near drowning in W.D.M.
Bystanders saved a young girl who was drowning in a pool at a West Des Moines apartment complex Thursday night, officials said.
The girl, who was around 12 years old, was playing a game in the pool at Normandy Terrace, 1800 Grand Ave., when she got into water too deep for her and went under the surface, said David Edgar, the assistant chief for West Des Moines Emergency Medical Services.
By the time an ambulance, which was just blocks away, arrived, others had already pulled the girl out of the water and she was starting to wake up.
The child was taken to a Des Moines hospital. No updates on her condition were available Friday.
"They got her out quick enough that it was not believed to be life-threatening," Edgar said.
A resident at the apartment complex said a boy around 15- to 16-years-old jumped into the pool and rescued the girl.
Workers at the apartment also said they don't know what happened and are awaiting details from the West Des Moines Police Department.
West Des Moines medics respond to a couple of drowning or near-drowning cases each year, Edgar said.
Though cases are rare, he still urged swimmers to use caution.
The American Red Cross recently found less than half of adults surveyed had basic water competency skills and only four of 10 parents believed their children had basic swimming skills.
The Red Cross recommends swimming only in designated and supervised areas, teaching all family members how to swim and never leaving children unattended around water.
People also shouldn't swim alone, Edgar said.
"That's what was key to this situation. It was recognized right away. People were vigilant and got her out of the pool," he said. "Everything worked well with this. It was a successful rescue."
Tips for water safety:
Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
- Always swim with a buddy, even at a public pool or beach with lifeguards.
- Ensure every family member learns to swim well.
- Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear life jackets.
- Never leave young children unattended around water and teach children to ask permission before going near water.
- Avoid alcohol use around water.
Source: American Red Cross