Found Deceased FL - Enrique Cortez-Duban, 6, Panama City Beach, 5 July 2021

[PayrollNerd]

Poor little tyke. He was in knee deep water, which for him, at 5 years old, is where the waves break and thus the water and undertow is stronger. The wave is taking his balance and footing. He could have been sucked under quite quickly, others nearby could have thought he was simply swimming or nobody may have noticed. Many people stand right where the waves break and they are so focused on staying upright, they aren't likely to notice others doing the same thing.

 

[PommyMommy]

What unimaginable pain this family must be in right now. My thoughts and prayers are with them. Absolutely heartbreaking.

 

[Denniece]

His poor family. This is so tragic. Most drownings are preventable by just keeping an eye on your kid 100%. With that said, i can see how these things happen. It’s so easy to get distracted and to assume someone else sees your kids.

Can anyone really keep an eye on their kid 100%, 100% of the time? The sheriff even said this himself in the press relief, don't blame the parents. I'm sure they blame themselves enough. Very tragic.

 

[ChatteringBirds]

I'm so sorry for this family. Such an accident can happen to anyone.

 

[HayLouise]

Heartbreaking

Rest in peace little guy Thinking of you & your family.

 

[BrownRice]

Can anyone really keep an eye on their kid 100%, 100% of the time? The sheriff even said this himself in the press relief, don't blame the parents. I'm sure they blame themselves enough. Very tragic.

I’m not blaming the parents at all!

I agree it’s impossible to watch your kids 100% of the time (only non parents say you can). But at the beach or pool, my eyes do not leave my kids when they are in the water. Last year a friend was at a mom party celebrating the end of school. A child drowned in a house pool, filled of kids and parents.

I read somewhere this little boy wondered off while his parents were putting up an umbrella. So obviously they had no reason to think he was in the water. Probably told him to be patient and they’d be in the water soon.

 

[zenzen]

i grew up in a coastal tourist hotspot and the lack of awareness as to the dangers of the ocean still astounds me ... the beach has this iconic and glorified place here is australia and i think too often people have a distinct lack of respect and fear of it. the ocean isn't a safe place and too many people children and adults die because they don't see the dangers, rips, swells and shifting sandbanks.
floaties don't keep little ones alive long in the sea sadly.
i feel very sad for the family, sadder for the little boy who won't have another bday

not just a random rant, i was a lifeguard and swim instructor, the unnecessary waste of life just frustrates me
please if you aren't a strong swimmer with some understanding of ocean swimming take your kids to the ocean baths or a pool, teach them to float on their backs and to scream help before worrying about actual swimming.. it gives them a fighting chance to be rescued should they get into trouble.

its just so sad

 

[Pseudonymph]

Share this article far and wide: https://www.watersafetymagazine.com/drowning-doesnt-look-like-drowning/

 

[PayrollNerd]

i grew up in a coastal tourist hotspot and the lack of awareness as to the dangers of the ocean still astounds me ... the beach has this iconic and glorified place here is australia and i think too often people have a distinct lack of respect and fear of it. the ocean isn't a safe place and too many people children and adults die because they don't see the dangers, rips, swells and shifting sandbanks.
floaties don't keep little ones alive long in the sea sadly.
i feel very sad for the family, sadder for the little boy who won't have another bday

not just a random rant, i was a lifeguard and swim instructor, the unnecessary waste of life just frustrates me
please if you aren't a strong swimmer with some understanding of ocean swimming take your kids to the ocean baths or a pool, teach them to float on their backs and to scream help before worrying about actual swimming.. it gives them a fighting chance to be rescued should they get into trouble.

its just so sad

Totally agree at the lack of understanding. I'm in SWFL and the beaches are always in the news for being the "don't miss this stop" kinda headlines. I am a cancer patient and even though I am a good swimmer, I can no longer handle the ocean. At the moment, I'm using a pool noodle as my walking stick down to the water, then put it under my arms across my chest to float. If I can't touch the bottom, I get back to where I can quickly. A passing boat, jetski can whip up a stream of back to back waves that could send me tumbling. I do not go in the water unless I have someone with me. My next step is a life jacket because I do really want to "swim" but I can't really do it safely anymore.

 

[Pseudonymph]

Side note, don’t dig deep holes on the beach (danger of collapse), and fill in any holes you dig before you leave (dangerous at night).