The child’s lively body was pulled out of the pool, as onlookers looked helplessly. The paramedics try to revive the unconscious boy. Friends and family watching in terror as the boy is taken away by an ambulance.
These images were made during an internal reenactment in Orange County on Monday, but the tragic scenes take place in everyday real life.
On Monday, Huntington Beach held a press conference in the city’s real backyard pool, simulating key moments when a person could determine whether they are alive or dead in a potential drowsing scenario.
“The demonstration mirrors a typical backyard pool gathering, with children not realising that no one is actively looking at it because adults were socialising nearby while playing underwater,” the city of Huntington Beach wrote in a news release.
In the demonstration, the swimming boy goes under the water and is forgotten by those who enjoy the otherwise easy-going day. In another scene, the designated “water watcher” works, pulling the boy out of the water and dragging him to the edge of the pool.
This is a simple demo that may be difficult for some people to watch, but it emphasizes the importance of swimming safety, especially during the summer.
“This is the type of community engagement that saves a life,” Huntington Beach said.
Mayor Pat Burns. “Own death is the main cause of death for children aged 1 to 4 years old and the second major cause of death between 5 to 14 years old.”
Fire Chief Eric McCoy said first responders are at peak times when a drowsing is most likely. “Based on trends over the past five years, we could see some lown emergency and perhaps even deaths before the year ended,” McCoy said.
However, the city of Huntington Beach used the demonstration to celebrate a significant milestone in the city. Zero Drownings in 2025 so far.
“This is the result of a citywide commitment to education, prevention and safety,” Burns said.
The fire department said the majority of the drowning events were attended by parents, and the drowning death of children under the age of one occurs at home. These are “preventable tragedies,” McCoy said.
Child volunteers will go underwater as part of a protest that drowned in Huntington Beach on July 21, 2025. Huntington Beach) Paramedics sprint through the gurney as part of a simulated drowning demonstration at Huntington Beach on July 21, 2025 (Huntington Beach)
Julie Ropiccolo also spoke about the heartbreaking and life-changing effects of unexpected losses.
Lopiccolo co-founded the Jasper Ray Foundation after his toddler son was drowned in a fencing-free backyard pool. The nonprofit is dedicated to raising awareness about the death of a drowsing and informing the public about preventing future tragedy.
“We got a call that our parents never wanted to get. Jasper was found covered in water,” Ropiccolo said. “Our world was left apart. He was our best friend and the love of our lives.”
His death urged her to let the public know about the death of a drowsing death and how simple precautions can save countless lives.
Lopiccolo provided a list of family-friendly tips to prevent drowning.
Barriers to prevent access to water at home
a. Perform a water safety briefing before a type-specific swimming session
Children’s water and age
b. Tell your kids to ask each time they enter the water – even bathing
c. Emphasise safe behavior – no rough housing, no breathing embrace, no running
d. Teach current recognition of RIP and proper use of rescue tools – reach, slow,
Please don’t go
The Huntington Beach Fire Department has launched a new “Water Watcher” program. This encourages adults to take a 15-minute shift as someone who watches the water without distraction. Designated water watchers can wear tags and identify them during short shifts. These tags and other drowsing prevention materials can be found free of charge at all city fire stations, libraries and community centres.
HBFD’s Chief of Marine Safety Trevor McDonald said Drunk Deaths have risen steadily across Orange County, up from 31 in 2019 to 54 in 2023.
“The trend is clear,” McDonald said. “This is a real, growing threat. Here at Huntington Beach, we want to do everything we can to reverse that pattern.”
McCoy added that future deaths can be prevented by “if we work together.”
Monday’s demonstration was particularly timely as two major events related to drudgery made national headlines. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reminded Malcolm Jamalwarner, the actor best known for his ground pool of millions and his role as huxtable in the “Cosby Show” in the “Cosby Show” in the “Cosby Show”.
July 25th is also the world’s day to prevent drowsing.
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