Jack MacMillan, aged 12 (posted with permission of Sharon Washbourne)
Shallow Water Blackout was previously known in Australia as “Hypoxic Blackout”.
In 2012 the Founders of Hannah’s Foundation met with Dr Rhonda Milner MD in San Diego USA. Dr Milner is a free diver, her whole family free dives and sadly they lost their son Whitner to a Shallow Water Blackout or Long Breath holding. The topic SWB has been a subject in our Brandi Allen Positive Choices Campaign since 2009 and since then over 3000 students have been made aware of the dangers. More needs to be done in education publicly.
In 2013, NSW Teenager Jack MacMillian aged 12 lost his life undertaking a game that many of us have participated in, in the backyard pool. Little did his mother Michelle know that the very game being played would take her son from her and within seconds. Many teenagers and young adults are victims to SWB. Coroners are slowly being informed of SWB and the games that young people play which could have contributed to their deaths. . Their deaths are listed as drownings. However Hannah’s Foundation along with the MacMillan family both advocate that Supervision of all swimmers is CRUCIAL to saving lives.
“Just because you can swim, doesn’t mean you can’t drown ™” says Kat Plint, Founder of Hannah’s Foundation
In supporting the MacMillian family, Aunty Sharon and Uncle Gary (Washbourne) have tirelessly been promoting and advocating SWB since January 2013. Hannah’s Foundation supports their advocacy and awareness in saving young lives. More education and signage is needed to alarm parents and carers to this dangerous game and to educate our young people that SWB is a fatal decision in Water.
This is Jack’s Story and we urge you to follow the Advocacy on their website at Shallow Water Blackout Australia (external link).
Shallow Water Blackout KILLS
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