Melissa Hull says one of the biggest misconceptions about drowning is that it often happens quietly, without the cries for help many people expect.
As families flock to pools, lakes, beaches and rivers during the summer months, author and water safety advocate Melissa Hull is sharing a deeply personal message she hopes will prevent other families from experiencing the loss that changed her life forever.
Hull’s son drowned, a tragedy that led her to dedicate her life to educating parents and caregivers about water safety. Today, she travels the country speaking about drowning prevention and encouraging families to remain vigilant whenever children are near the water.
Her message is simple: drowning rarely looks like drowning.
“There is rarely splashing, waving or yelling for help,” Hull said. “It can happen in seconds while adults are only a few feet away. Many tragedies occur because people simply don’t recognize what drowning actually looks like.”
Hull, the author of Dear Drew: Creating a Life Bigger Than Grief, says many people expect drowning to resemble dramatic scenes portrayed in movies. Instead, victims often slip beneath the surface quietly, making constant supervision critical.
She believes one of the greatest dangers around water is distraction.
Whether families are enjoying a neighborhood pool, spending the day on a lake, relaxing at the beach or vacationing at a resort, Hull says many drownings occur because adults mistakenly assume someone else is watching the children.
To help prevent those situations, she encourages families to designate a single “Water Watcher” before anyone enters the water. That person should focus solely on supervising children without distractions such as phones, conversations or other activities.
Hull also stresses that knowing how to swim does not eliminate the risk of drowning. Even experienced swimmers can face unexpected dangers, including fatigue, strong currents, underwater hazards or sudden medical emergencies.
Among her recommendations for families are:
- Assign one dedicated Water Watcher whenever children are swimming.
- Keep young children within arm’s reach.
- Put away phones and other distractions while supervising.
- Use properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in open water and while boating.
- Learn CPR before an emergency occurs.
- Teach children to ask permission before going near any body of water.
- If a child is missing, check the water first because every second matters.
Hull also advises parents not to rely on inflatable arm bands or flotation toys as lifesaving devices and to choose brightly colored swimsuits that are easier to spot underwater.
She hopes her family’s story will inspire others to make water safety a priority every time they visit a pool, lake, river or beach.
“Every parent deserves to bring their child home safely at the end of the day,” Hull said. “If my family’s story encourages even one person to stay present, assign a Water Watcher, or recognize that drowning rarely looks the way it’s portrayed in movies, then another family may be spared the heartbreak ours has experienced.”
Beyond her work in water safety, Hull is an author, speaker and grief specialist who helps families navigate life after loss. Through her writing and public speaking, she continues to honor her son’s memory by transforming her personal tragedy into a mission to educate others and help prevent future drownings.
As summer recreation continues, Hull hopes greater awareness and simple preventive steps will help ensure more families return home safely after a day on the water. https://www.melissahull.com/
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