6-Year-Old Saves 5-Year-Old Friend From Drowning

[Sequoia]

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -- Adults didn't see a drowning 5-year-old, but his 6-year-old friend did.

Haden Stusak, 6, of Fayetteville is being called a hero after he dived into a pool to investigate a shadow on the bottom that turned out to be his friend.

Josiah Buddah, 5, and Haden are buddies. Haden is a good swimmer, but Josiah can't swim without his water wings.

On Sunday, Josiah took off his water wings and sank to the bottom of the deep end.

"I was scared, I was scared," said Josiah.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/16479379/detail.html

[mnhtnbb]

1. Where the hell were the parents? Not watching a kid with water wings?

How dumb can a parent be?

[Taverner]

3. Shit Happens

sometimes a parent steps away for a moment - but something happens.

It was wonderful that that kid knew how to swim.

[mnhtnbb]

6. Kids can get out of your sight in a flash--BUT--when a child is in the water, you never

ever take your eyes off them. Period. Anything less is neglect.

[undeterred]

14. There are a thousand situations where you never take your eyes off

My neighbors across the street care for their 2 and a half year old grandchild. They had a cocker spaniel which was 12- the dog and baby had always been together. One day there was a yell- and the dog had bitten the boys face, requiring 18 stitches. The dog had to be put to sleep.

Nobody saw what happened and there were no warning signs of aggression from the dog. The grandparents felt horrible about their grandson and the dog. Being in the room might not even have helped because these things happen so fast.

Shit happens even to responsible people. :shrug:

[MedleyMisty]

15. Why was the dog killed?

[undeterred]

16. The incident was reported to the police

because the child was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The dog had to be evaluated by a veterinarian- and the vet said that once an older dog loses its inhibition to bite it can't be trusted again. It might have been ok around the adults, but could not be trusted around the child. And it was probably too old to adopt out. The child was spending 50 hours a week in their home, so they decided to put it down.

[Fleshdancer]

13. It honestly takes seconds

One time I was at the pool with my daughter and her friend (they were both 4 at the time) and while swimming with me, they both wore vests. My daughter announced she had to go to the bathroom so I got them both out of the pool and took their vests off because they were wearing one piece bathing suits and wouldn't be able to use the restrooms with the vests on. As we're walking to the restrooms, I hear a splash. The friend decided to jump into the pool for some unknown reason and it took me a few seconds to look behind me. When I do look, the friend is sinking so I scream and jump in to get her. I swear it wasn't more than 10 seconds after I got them out of their vests to begin with...it scared the living hell out of me.

It honestly never occurred to me to tell them not to jump in the pool on our way to the restroom. Not because I'm stupid, but because I forget what it's like being that age.

[BlooInBloo]

2. Good job kid!

[Binka]

4. Wow Amazing! My Daughter Nearly Seven Took A Life Guard Class Last Summer

She was the youngest kid in the class by 7 years. Water safety is EXTREMELY important. She has been swimming sans water wings since she was two but I never take my eyes of her around water. Never!

[Barack_America]

5. The video at that link is just precious.

"We're friends, that's what friends do".

Great story.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. What wonderful pals! (pic)

Josiah on the left
Haden, the little hero, on the right

[JNelson6563]

17. Kids are great.

Wonderful pic. :toast:

[malaise]

8. How lovely

Bravo Haden. :yourock:

[NNadir]

9. That is a wonderful and uplifting story.

[Fleshdancer]

10. Good for him!

That's an incredible response for a 6 yr old!

[undeterred]

11. Beautiful.

All children should learn to swim- and all people should be so willing to help each other.

[angstlessk]

12. heartwarming story...kid saves his bud...sounds like Iraq..only quiter..

good on those kids!