Annual safety reminder!

As I sit at the pool, visit the waterparks, and lounge by the beach this summer, I will cringe countless times.



I will avert my eyes - and say a prayer - as I watch children dive, headfirst, into shallow waters.

I cannot even express how much this bothers me.

Before last summer, I never thought twice about it.

For those of you who don't know, my sister-in-law suffered a terrible fall on July 8th, 2010 and is facing life paralyzed from the chest down. We spent countless hours (months) at the rehab hospital with her.

100+ people are at this one facility on any given day.

In the summer months, many of the youngest injured patients are there due to improper diving.

Diving into pools that are not sufficient depth for diving. Diving into the ocean, not realizing a sandbar was underneath. Diving off a pier into seemingly deep waters. Falling haphazardly into the water after jumping or being thrown in by an unsuspecting adult.


More than 850 spinal cord injuries occur from diving-related injuries each year. The majority of these result in quadriplegia - paralysis of all limbs.

Please, think twice about how your kids play this summer.
And the next.
And the next.
And the next....

FEET FIRST!