A child’s lifeless body pulled from a pool as onlookers watch helplessly; paramedics attempting to revive the unconscious boy; friends and family watching in horror as the boy is taken away by ambulance.
These images played out during a visceral reenactment in Orange County Monday, but the distressing scenes happen in real life everyday across the country.
On Monday, Huntington Beach hosted a press event at a real backyard pool in the city to simulate the critical moments that could determine if a person lives or dies in a potential drowning scenario.
“The demonstration mirrored a typical backyard pool gathering, with children playing in the water while adults socialized nearby, unaware that no one was actively watching,” the city of Huntington Beach wrote in a news release.
In the demonstration, a boy swimming alone goes under the water, forgotten by those enjoying an otherwise easygoing day. In another scene, a designated “Water Watcher” springs into action to pull the boy from the water and drag him to the pool’s edge, at which point a full, simulated paramedic response takes place.
It’s a simple demonstration that may be difficult for some to watch, but highlights the importance of swim safety, especially during the summer months.
“This is the type of community engagement that saves lives,” said Huntington Beach
Mayor Pat Burns. “Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four, and the second leading cause of death for ages five to fourteen.”
Fire Chief Eric McCoy said first responders are reaching the peak months for when drownings are most likely to occur. “Based on trends from the last five years, we could still see several near-drowning emergencies and possibly even fatalities before the year ends,” McCoy said.
But the city of Huntington Beach also used the demonstration to celebrate an important milestone for the city: zero drownings so far in 2025.
“That is the result of education, prevention, and a citywide commitment to safety,” Burns said.
The Fire Department said a vast majority of drowning events take place with parents present, and most drowning deaths of children under the age of 1 happen at home. These, McCoy said, are “preventable tragedies.”
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A child volunteer goes underwater as part of a drowning demonstration in Huntington Beach on July 21, 2025. (City of Huntington Beach) -
A designated “Water Watcher” rescues a child volunteer as part of a simulated drowning demonstration in Huntington Beach on July 21, 2025. (City of Huntington Beach) -
Paramedics perform simulated CPR on a child volunteer as part of a drowning demonstration in Huntington Beach on July 21, 2025. (City of Huntington Beach) -
Paramedics wheel out a gurney as part of a simulated drowning demonstration in Huntington Beach on July 21, 2025. (City of Huntington Beach)
Julie Lopiccolo also spoke about the heart-breaking and life-changing effects of an unexpected loss.
Lopiccolo co-founded the Jasper Ray Foundation after her toddler son drowned in a backyard pool that had no fencing. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to raising awareness about drowning deaths and informing the public about preventing future tragedies.
“We received a call no parent ever wants to get. Jasper had been found face down in the water,” Lopiccolo said. “Our world was left in pieces. He was our best friend and the love of our lives.”
His death has inspired her to inform the public about drowning deaths and how simple preventative measures can save countless lives.
Lopiccolo provided a list of tips for families to prevent drownings:
- Barriers to prevent access to water in homes
- CPR – know it and practice it
- Learn to swim
- Active and engaged supervision – designate a “Water Watcher”
- Inspect drains
- Involve children
a. Conduct water safety briefings before any swim session, tailored to the type
of water and age of the child
b. Teach children to ask every time they get in the water – even the bath
c. Emphasize safe behaviors – no rough housing, breath holding, or running
d. Teach rip current awareness and proper use of rescue tools – reach, throw,
don’t go
The Huntington Beach Fire Department has launched a new “Water Watcher” program, which encourages adults to take 15-minute shifts as the defacto person watching the water without any distractions. Designated Water Watchers can wear tags to identify them as being on-duty during their brief shift. Those tags, as well as other drowning prevention materials, can be found free of charge at all city fire stations, libraries and community centers.
Trevor McDonald, chief of the HBFD Marine Safety Division, said drowning deaths across Orange County have steadily rises in recent years, from 31 in 2019 to 54 in 2023.
“The trend is clear,” McDonald said. “This is a real and growing threat. Here in Huntington Beach, we want to do everything possible to reverse that pattern.”
McCoy added that future deaths can be prevented “if we work together.”
Monday’s demonstration was particularly timely, as two major events related to drowning made national headlines: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled millions of above-ground pools due to at least nine drowning deaths over the last decade, and actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable in “The Cosby Show,” drowned while on vacation in Costa Rica.
July 25 is also World Drowning Prevention Day.