FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT)- Fun in the sun can turn dangerous when it comes to swimming. According to the Indiana Department of Health 114 people died statewide last year from drowning. The entire US saw an average of 10 per day.
Marlene Feagles said she always makes sure she hangs onto her granddaughter when she takes her swimming. She's only eight months old, but Feagles is already thinking about swim lessons for her in the future.
"I would like her to have swim lessons, mainly to make sure she knows how to protect herself in the water," she said.
Daniel Arroyo said he's always right next to his three year old daughter, and sometimes has her wear a floaty.
"If we go to the deep end of the pool on the other side, yeah I definitely have her wear a floaty, just because I'm not comfortable myself," he said.
At Northside pool, anyone under seven years old has to have a parent with them, but at any age something can go wrong in seconds. Jenny Barney, the supervisor for Fort Wayne Parks and Rec Aquatics, said that's why her lifeguards go through intense training.
"Before they can even get into a class they have certain protocols in which they have to pass," Barney said.
She said emergency situations at the public pools in Fort Wayne are rare, but if something does go wrong, the lifeguards will respond in seconds.
"Northside pool, McMillen, and Memorial are an excellent and very safe environment for all of our patrons," Barney said.
