Surviving is only the beginning.
Adam survived. Many children do. But a nonfatal drowning can change a child’s life, and a family’s, forever. These families are often left out of the conversation, and we want to change that.
What “nonfatal drowning” means
Health experts define drowning as having trouble breathing because the body went under or into water. Many children survive a drowning. Some recover completely. Others, like Adam, live with injuries that last a lifetime.
That’s why we say Adam is a drowning survivor. He didn’t “almost drown.” He drowned, and he survived.
By the numbers
- 8,000+Emergency department visits for nonfatal drowning in the U.S. each year (2012–2021 average).CDC
- ~40%Nearly 4 in 10 drownings treated in emergency departments need hospital admission or transfer for more care, about 4 times the rate for all unintentional injuries.CDC
- 5,900Estimated ER-treated nonfatal pool and spa drowning injuries each year among children under 15 (2023–2025).CPSC, 2026 report
Life after a drowning
The hospital stay
Intensive care, ventilators, scans, and days or weeks of waiting to learn what the future holds. Families often live out of a hospital room far from home, with other children to care for.
Brain injury
When the brain goes without oxygen, the injury can affect movement, speech, eating, vision, learning and behavior. Every child’s recovery looks different.
Therapy, equipment & costs
Physical, occupational and speech therapy, specialists, equipment and home changes. Some treatments aren’t covered by insurance, and the costs keep going for years.
The whole family
Parents carry grief, guilt and exhaustion. Siblings carry their own worry. Friendships, jobs and marriages are all tested. Families need support that lasts.
The victories
Survivor families learn to celebrate everything: a smile, a laugh, a new sound, a little more strength than yesterday. Progress comes in its own time, and every bit of it counts.
The village
Nobody gets through this alone. It takes prayer warriors, meal trains, therapists, teachers, and friends who keep showing up. That’s what a village looks like.
You are not alone, and it’s not only your story to carry.
Drowning happens to loving, careful families. If your child is a drowning survivor, we would be honored to hear from you, whether you want to talk, find resources, or share your child’s story to help protect other children.
Places to find help
- Project One CauseSupport for families after a nonfatal drowning, including parent mentors, financial help and a recovery resources guide.
- Brain Injury Association of AmericaInformation, a national helpline, and state affiliates for families living with brain injury.
- Brain Injury Association of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania resources, support groups and advocacy for brain injury survivors and families.
- Pennsylvania Early Intervention (CONNECT Helpline)Free developmental support for infants and toddlers. Call CONNECT at 1-800-692-7288 to get started.
- Family VoicesFamily-to-family help with navigating health care and services for children with special health care needs.
- Parent to Parent USAMatches you with an experienced parent whose child has similar needs.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineCall or text 988, any time, if grief, guilt or stress feels like too much.
A note on treatment.Families of drowning survivors often hear about many different therapies. Our family shares what helped Adam, but every child is different. Please make treatment decisions with your child’s medical team.
How to support a family after a drowning
“For every tragic story you read, there are family members in horrendous pain blaming themselves. When you hear these stories, pause and find kindness.”
Our mom, Shannon
- Don’t judge. Drowning happens to loving, careful families. Skip the comments section.
- Keep showing up. Months and years later, not just the first week.
- Help with the ordinary. Meals, laundry, and rides to school and practice for the brothers and sisters.
- Say the child’s name. Ask how they’re doing, and celebrate every milestone with them.
- Never say “move on.” Some things can’t be fixed. They can only be carried, together.
Help us support survivor families.
Share what you learn, take the pledge, and help us keep other families from ever facing this.