Aron (6) discovered the little girl floating in the pool – but his stepfather Sondre Salvesen first thought she was diving.
Less than 30 minutes ago
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They moved a little away to avoid hiding from her. When they turned around shortly after, the girl had gone under and was lying on the bottom.
– She was lifeless when I got her out of the water, Sondre Salvesen says to VG.
The 26-year-old and stepson from Ask by Tyrifjorden visited Ringeriksbadet on Helgelandsmoen south of Hønefoss on Tuesday afternoon.
Salvesen estimates that there were a couple of families with children and some young people present. The bathroom has a sports pool, therapy pool and children’s pool, diving tower and slides.
– I thought afterwards if I should have reacted earlier and looked a little closer, the first time we saw the girl lying with her face down in the water, the 26-year-old says.
– Was a little unsure
But he thought she was diving and did not want to scare her by touching her.
– I was a little unsure. We went in a different direction, before I turned around and thought that a small child can not hold his breath for that long. Then she lay on the bottom.
–Salvesen immediately pulled her out of the water. One of the two lifeguards arrived at the same time and jumped into the pool.
– They started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. She came to life after a few minutes.
– What do you think about saving lives?
– I have not really thought much about it. It was okay and nice that she came back. The feeling would probably have been different, if it had not gone well.
– Out of danger to life
Ringerikes Blad mentioned the incident first and writes that the girl is four years old.
Superintendent Silje Holmin at Hønefoss police station informs to the local newspaper that the police have been informed that the child will be out of danger.
General manager at Ringeriksbadet Lars Gomnes confirms Salvesen’s presentation.
–– Very dramatic
– It was absolutely almost and very dramatic, says the leader of Ringeriksbadet to VG.
The incident is captured on video. Gomnes saw the recording on Wednesday.
– The pictures show a girl who spends a lot of energy trying to save herself. It can look like play. She is completely silent and the audience walks right by.
Gomnes says that the four-year-old must have been in the bathroom with a group of families. He praises his employees for making a formidable effort.
The accident happened about halfway in the therapy pool, where the depth is from 70 to 160 cm.
Tanja Krangnes, head of drowning prevention at the Rescue Company, says that Sondre Salvesen acted correctly in this case.
– Happens quickly and quietly
31 people died in drowning accidents in the first half of Norway, while two Norwegian citizens drowned abroad. That is six fewer than the same period last year.
– But every year there are many who are saved, because others are vigilant and follow around. Quick intervention can save lives, says Krangnes.
She encourages people to rather ask once too much if things are going well in the water or take an extra check, if they are in doubt.
– A drowning happens quickly and quietly. Keep arm’s length apart, if you are in the water with children who can not swim. A few seconds of inattention can be fatal.
The head of the Rescue Company states that fatal accidents rarely occur in swimming pools.
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