Texas Accident & Injury News
An adult should always supervise children during water activities.
16-Year-Old Fatally Drowns in Comal River
According to a San Antonio Express-News report, a boy fatally drowned in the Comal River on Saturday while enjoying a float down with his family.
Police responded to a missing persons report at the New Braunfels Tube Chute at around 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 19. The family was floating in the area above the tube chute when they lost track of the teenage boy, age 16. He was later found nearby and pulled out of the water by bystanders, who performed CPR until paramedics arrived. The boy, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead at the hospital. The accident occurred just 5 days after lifeguards were pulled from the Comal River.
Did You Know?
82 people drowned in Texas public waters in 2021, according to a KSAT News report.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Child from Drowning Accidents
This isn’t the first time someone has drowned on or near the tube chute on the Comal River in New Braunfels. The area is well known for its strong currents that trap even the most experienced swimmers. For this reason, lifeguards were posted in this area, sometimes making 200 or more saves in two months.
Unfortunately, the lifeguards had recently been pulled from this area because of the low water levels in the Comal. So, what can you do to keep yourself and your kids safe when river floating where there are no lifeguards? Let’s take a look at three tips that can keep your family fun accident-free.
Tip 1 – Plan Your Route
Before you get in the water, have a pre-planned route to follow, and make sure everyone knows it. This way, you are far less likely to lose someone. If someone does get lost, they can go to the end of the route and meet you there. Also, you will have somewhere to check if someone is separated from the group, so if you don’t find them there, you can call the police for help more quickly than without a plan.
Tip 2 – Wear the Correct Protective Gear
Normally, you won’t find shade when you float down the Comal or the Guadalupe. Because of this, it’s especially important to wear sunscreen when floating. Also, no matter how experienced of a swimmer you are, WEAR A LIFEVEST. Children should wear lifevests that fit properly and flip them on their backs, as this is the safest position for inexperienced swimmers. Finally, wear water shoes that strap to your feet. Flip flops are not water shoes and leave you vulnerable to broken glass.
Tip 3 – Assign Swimming Buddies
No one should ever be alone on the water, especially children. Assign children a swimming buddy to keep track of while they float. Adults should always be able to see children. One way to ensure that your child or teenage floating buddy never leaves your sight is to tie floats together.
When to Call a Lawyer
Swimming accidents can turn into lawsuits if negligence is involved. If there was a negligent lifeguard on duty, improper or broken safety equipment around pools, or any other kind of negligence, contact Carabin Shaw drowning accident attorneys today (800-862-1260).
Hire Carabin Shaw Drowning Accident Attorneys
You may be entitled to legal compensation if your child died or was badly injured in a drowning accident in San Antonio. Contact the experienced drowning injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw today to find out at 800-862-1260 or via the live chat at the bottom right of your screen. There is no risk and no obligation when you call. We look forward to serving you.