A day at the beach is usually the best way to beat the heat, but for one mother from Massachusetts, a fun day in the sun turned into a terrifying experience she never expected. Now, she’s on a mission to warn others about a hidden danger at the shore.
Even though it’s been over a week since it happened, Heather Cassini says she’s still “shaking” from the ordeal.
On July 4th, Heather and her 10-year-old son, Declan, were enjoying a day at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. It was a hot day, and Declan had been playing in the ocean, having a great time. But suddenly, Declan told his mom he wasn’t feeling well.
At first, Heather wasn’t too worried. In a Facebook post that’s now gone viral, she wrote, “I thought maybe the waves didn’t sit well with his breakfast and he just needed to lie down.” But as they started walking back so Declan could rest, he became “disoriented” and stumbled into a nearby sunbather.
He managed to stand up, but then he collapsed again.
“I was desperately trying to pick him up,” Heather told Today.com. “But I’m pregnant, and it was hard. He was throwing up, going in and out of consciousness, and he looked so pale.”
A group of women nearby noticed what was happening and rushed over to help. Paramedics quickly arrived and worked to keep Declan warm and alert while checking his vitals.
“May God bless everyone who was around us,” Heather said, grateful for the help. “There were so many nurses.”
After what felt like an eternity, Declan finally woke up and started talking again. “We got him to the car and waited for him to feel better,” Heather wrote.
Later, it was discovered that Declan had developed hypothermia from the 52-degree ocean water.
“I had no idea this could happen,” Heather admitted. “You think about sunburns, dehydration, and all the usual dangers in the water, but cold shock never even crossed my mind.”
Declan’s quick recovery was a huge relief, but the experience left Heather determined to warn other parents about the risk of hypothermia, even on hot summer days.
“Just a heads up to parents with kids who love the water and don’t feel cold,” she said. “Just because they can handle it doesn’t mean they should.”
Heather finished with a powerful reminder: “I never thought hypothermia could happen on a sweltering summer day! This is such an important message for everyone, not just parents.”
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