Whiteland High School Student Drowns in Pool During Gym Class
π±π±π± What would you do if you saw your classmate drowning in the pool? That's what happened to some students at Whiteland Community High School in Indiana on Tuesday. Alaina Dildine, a 15-year-old girl, died after being pulled from the school pool during gym class. π’π’π’
According to NBC15, Alaina drowned while swimming with other students under a bulkhead dividing the pool. A lifeguard and an instructor were on the pool deck, but they didn't notice her until it was too late. πππ
Alaina was rushed to the hospital, but she didn't make it. The coroner confirmed that her death was a drowning, but the cause is still under investigation. Alaina's family said she had epilepsy, which may have played a role in the tragedy. πππ
How Common Are Pool Drownings?
You may think that pool drownings are rare, but they are actually more common than you think. According to CDC, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning every day in the US. That's about one person every hour and a half! π²π²π²
Most of these drownings happen in residential pools, but some also happen in public pools like the one at Whiteland High School. The CDC says that factors that increase the risk of drowning include lack of supervision, lack of barriers, lack of swimming skills, alcohol use, and medical conditions. π«π«π«
So how can you prevent pool drownings? The CDC recommends that you always watch children and inexperienced swimmers closely when they are in or near water, use fences and alarms to prevent unauthorized access to pools, learn how to swim and perform CPR, avoid drinking alcohol before or during swimming, and check with your doctor if you have any medical conditions that may affect your ability to swim safely. πππ
How to Cope with Grief and Loss?
The death of Alaina Dildine has shocked and saddened the Whiteland community. Many students and staff are grieving and struggling to cope with the loss of their friend and classmate. πππ
If you are one of them, you are not alone. Grief is a normal and natural response to losing someone you love. It can affect you physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. You may feel numb, angry, sad, guilty, or lonely. You may have trouble sleeping, eating, concentrating, or remembering things. You may wonder why this happened and how you can go on without them. π€―π€―π€―
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and everyone grieves differently. But there are some things that can help you heal and cope with your loss. Here are some tips from HelpGuide: πππ
- Acknowledge your pain and accept your feelings. Don't try to hide or suppress them.
- Reach out to others who care about you and share your feelings with them. You don't have to go through this alone.
- Take care of yourself physically and emotionally. Get enough rest, eat well, exercise moderately, and avoid drugs and alcohol.
- Express yourself creatively or spiritually. Write a journal, make a scrapbook, listen to music, pray, meditate, or join a support group.
- Remember and honor your loved one. Celebrate their life and legacy, keep their memory alive, and cherish the good times you had together.
- Be patient with yourself and the process. Grief takes time and there is no set timeline for healing.
We hope this article has helped you understand what happened at Whiteland High School and how to deal with it. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them below. We would love to hear from you! πππ