Baby underwater for 15 minutes may make it

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/905220,CST-NWS-lake20.article

Toddler rescued from lake 'doing better'

April 20, 2008Recommend (14)

BY KARA SPAK Staff Reporter/kspak@suntimes.com

The toddler who fell into Lake Michigan's frigid waters Friday afternoon while strapped in his stroller is improving, his father and a family friend said Saturday.

"I think he will be OK," a man who identified himself as the boy's father said. "I hope so. We are praying." snip

Divers found the boy, still strapped in his stroller, about 10 feet beneath the water's edge. A strong wind gust apparently propelled the stroller into Belmont Harbor, where water temperatures were 42 degrees, shortly after 2:30 p.m. Friday.

The child's grandfather, who was sitting on a bench next to the stroller, plunged into the lake after the boy, screaming, "Boy! Boy! Boy!" witnesses said.

Horrified onlookers quickly dialed 911, and divers found the boy in zero-visibility water within 15 minutes of arriving.

I hope all turns out well.

We don't call it the windy city for nothing.

That's kind of amazing.

in 10 feet of water ?

I dropped my keys off my boat in Burnham harbor and dove right down and snatched them in 15 feet of water, of course I used a mask, but if a baby went in the water in front of me I would have brought it back to the surface without hesitation.

That is amazing. The lake front is always crowded.

If not, why not?

In most of the harbors there is a cement walk that drops off to the water ..maybe 10-15 feet deep..maybe 5 feet from the walk to the water. Perfect for pulling a boat up and loading or unloading.

...that would be my first instinct.

THAT would impress me

Cold water can trigger the diving reflex and kids have survived these kinds of accidents.
Fingers crossed for him.

there was a little kid a few years ago that was underwater for longer than that (don't remember exactly, but something like a half hour.), and was fine. the cold water slowed his metabolism to the point that he was ok.
and in response to folks upthread, no, we have not idiot proofed lake michigan. we have a law that has protected our beautiful lakefront for over a hundred years. it protects us from the stupidity of attempting to erect a barrier to idiots along our 20+ miles of lakefront. it wouldn't work anyway.
the area where this kid went in is a dangerous place. bystanders diving in would likely have only compounded the tragedy.

hope it works out ok.


:cry: