East TX drownings: how to save a life

EAST TEXAS — An East Texas toddler is in critical condition at a Dallas hospital tonight after he nearly drowned at a Tyler apartment pool Tuesday night.  Police his life was saved after a man preformed CPR on him before emergency crews got to the scene.

Then, in another incident on the same night, police say 25-year old Aceon Jones cramped up while racing someone to a buoy on lake Glade Water and never came back up.

CPS officials say 42 children have drown in the state so far this summer with most at pools with no lifeguards or lakes.

City leaders make sure every apartment, public, or hotel pool in Tyler has buoys, Shepard hooks, and telephones to save lives.

Red Cross CPR instructor Barbara Krizan says knowing CPR does save lives, but if you don't know CPR, a 911 operator can talk you through it.

If you're not a certified lifeguard, however, she warns to stay out of the water. "I know that's really hard for parents when it's your own child, but having two victims is never the right answer," she says.

If you cramp up while swimming, Krizan says to roll over on your back and float.

Smith County Red Cross offers CPR classes and free swimming lessons for people of all ages, call for more information: 903-581-7981