NEW BRIGHTON DROWING - WERE SAFETY RULES BROKEN?

I have a five and a six year old. And I've taken them to Long Lake Beach in New Brighton many times - its the beach where I used to swim when I was in high school. So it hit especially close to home last week when a young boy drown at the beach on a school outing.

Reports state that six-year-old Kyarke (Jackie) Lah set out to swim from shore to the swimming raft and never made it. A lifeguard spotted Lah as he struggled in a designated corridor between the shallow swimming area and the raft. Rescuers called 911, but Lah was unresponsive when they pulled him from 8 feet of water several minutes later. He later died at Gillette Children's Hospital in St. Paul.

By Thursday afternoon, the rafts at Long Lake and Roseville's Lake Josephine, where a 16-year drowned Saturday evening, were gone for good.

We at Champion Law offer our sincerest condolences and prayers to the Lah family. If asked, I would counsel the family to hire an experience personal injury lawyer to investigate the cause of this tragedy.

As parents, this tragic case should serve as a harsh reminder for things to look for to keep our kids safe at the beach or pool.

First, it goes without saying that even if your child is a strong swimmer, kids get tired. They need breaks and constant supervision when they are in the water. If you're not sure about their ability in the water, make them wear a life vest.

Second, beware of swimming rafts. Swimming rafts like the one that was just removed at Long Lake are not nearly as common as they once were simply because they do pose a dangerous risk to weaker swimmers or young children. In fact, none of the public beaches run by Minneapolis, Washington County or the Three Rivers Park District have rafts, parks officials said Thursday. Nor do beaches at Lake Phalen in St. Paul or Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Dakota County.

Third, make sure there are enough life guards on duty for the popluation of people in the water. Reports in this case have varied from three to five lifeguards being on duty. But with more than 100 people in the water - many of whom were children - that may not have been enough.

And last, if you send your child to a beach or pool with a group, make absolutely certain there are enough adults supervising the trip. I have heard only rumors about the number of adult supervisors on the Long Lake trip, so I won't commment on whether the amount was adequate. But in my view, anything less than a 3:1 child to adult ratio is unacceptable.

For more information on this tragic story, click on the following links:

St. Paul Pioneer Press
Raft removed from Long Lake Beach
KARE 11
Star Tribune - are swimming rafts hazardous?