A mum whose toddler almost drowned last summer is imploring parents to learn the signs of drowning and know what to do in an emergency.
Chloe Freeman and her sister-in-law had taken their five children to the Mornington Peninsula for a holiday at the end of 2023.
She said she was counting the children one by one when she noticed a child face-down in the water.
“At first, I thought it was another child swimming, but then I quickly realised it was my son, Lewy,” she said.
“I saw his body floating like a starfish.”
Ms Freeman instantly knew her three-year-old was in trouble and raced straight into the water.
She said she noticed Lewy was trying to lift his head.
A bystander who had seen what was happening rushed to help.
“I was patting Lewy’s back to clear the water from his mouth and he was making some sort of whooping sounds, so he didn’t need resuscitation,” she said.
Ms Freeman’s sister-in-law called Triple Zero and two Sorrento paramedics soon arrived.
“Lewy was hypothermic in my arms, eyes closed, shallow breathing,” she said.
“In the ambulance, it took some time to stabilise Lewy’s oxygen levels before we headed to Frankston Hospital.”
Lewy spent most of the day in the hospital for observation but didn’t require further treatment and was discharged that night.
After 12 months, Ms Freeeman said Lewy is completely fine but is wary around water.
“He still recalls falling into a hole at the beach or stepping down into a deeper part of the water, which is likely how it happened,” she said.
Chloe is a qualified Austswim swim teacher, a former lifeguard, and now a primary school teacher.
She said what happened shows that accidents in the water can happen to anyone.
Ms Freeman said the key message was to remain aware of the dangers, and to recognise the signs of drowning.
She also reminded everyone to learn CPR because you never know when you might need to perform it.
Ambulance Victoria emergency management director Dale Armstrong said the near-drowning was a reminder to all parents to be vigilant this summer.
“Children drowning often occurs silently and without warning after accidental falls, with children aged under four most at risk,” Mr Armstrong said.
“Always supervise children near water and learn CPR, in case of an emergency.
“Read the signs around waterways to familiarise yourself with the dangers and, where possible, swim between the flags at Life Saving Victoria patrolled waterways.”
