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A mum has issued a warning to other parents, after her 10-year-old son’s terrifying collapse after playing at the beach.

Heather Cassani says a fun day out turned into one of the scariest days of her life, and wants her story to raise awareness.

The 40-year-old Massachusetts mum was at New Hampshire’s Hampton Beach in July, the middle of summer in the US. She said her son Declan had a good night’s sleep, had a good breakfast and was well hydrated as they prepared for a day at the beach, on what was a hot and humid day.

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“We got to the beach it was high 70s (20°C) to low 80s (26°). Set up our spot for the day and headed to the water. Declan was in the water playing. I was watching them because of the waves and well it’s a body of water. I was scanning for dangers in the water or their safety,” Heather explained in a Facebook post.

“Declan got out a few times to see Tripp (his brother) and get some water. The third time we went down to the water Declan got out after a few minutes and sat down. He said I don’t feel good I think I’m going to throw up.

“So I grabbed Gus (Heather’s third son) and said ok let’s go back to dad you can lay down. I thought the breakfast was too much for the waves and he just needed to lay down.”

But as Heather made her way to her husband John, Declan became disoriented, and fell into another beachgoer.

“I thought he tripped but as he got up he said, ‘Mum I don’t feel good’. (Now I know from him telling me. Everything went white for him and he couldn’t see) We are now in front of a group of ladies and I can see John. I’m yelling I need help as I’m carrying Declan.

“Declan passes out onto the beach and starts throwing up all over. The ladies jump up and scream call 911. They are in the medical field and can see he’s in distress.
One lady starts running for the lifeguards, the others are trying to keep him conscious as he’s throwing up and passing out.

“The whole team of beach paramedics come over and they are checking vitals, getting him aroused and warm.”

“He had cold shock from the 52 degree (11°C) water and he was becoming hypothermic. They warmed him, the nurses got him hydrated and sitting up.”

Heather says after what felt like an ‘eternity’ Declan started talking and he was eventually back to his normal self.

She’s now used her story as a warning for parents to understand the signs and dangers of hypothermia.

“I had no idea this could happen. I’ve been going to the beach my whole life. I’ve never seen or heard this happen. The paramedics said they see it a lot especially with the lifeguards.

“Declan is feeling good as new now. We have him home feeding him fuilds and ensuring he feels ok. Just a warning to those with kids who feel no cold and love the water. Just because they can handle it doesn’t mean they can handle it.”

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  • This was obviously very traumatic for the mother. However, it seems very unlikely in our climate, and rare even in hers. I appreciate she feels better talking about it, but it is only something to be aware of in a cold climate with little kids that have zero introception skills.

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  • That would have been a terrifying time to go through. I’m so glad he’s feeling better now.

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  • That’s so scary and I didn’t know that could actually happen

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  • Thanks for sharing your story. I have been going to the beach with my children all my own and their lives and had never seen or heard of this before. A warning ready for our summer.

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  • Not something I’d have considered before either. I don’t think my kids would have stayed in the water for too long if it was cold. Luckily she was paying attention

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  • Oh gosh that would have been super scary. Need to make sure you bring adequate hydration for everyone when you go out in the sun.

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  • That must’ve been so scary for everyone involved. No one ever thinks it could happen to them

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  • How terrifying, but thankyou for bringing awareness. Never knew this was a thing.

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  • Wow, very scary. I never would have thought of this happening on a warm day at the beach. But then if my kids felt the water was cold (me too) they probably wouldn’t linger and we would get out. I have seen what hypothermia is like when hiking in cold. My son literally fell over and though he was conscious, he was unresponsive, so it’s no joke and always important too to keep up blood sugars when exercising in cold conditions.

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  • That would be so scary! Glad he’s ok. Didn’t know that was thing either

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  • I didn’t know this could happen. I’m so glad this mother shared her story as a warning to others so we have some idea of what his happening and why.

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  • Wow that’s a scary moment to have. Glad he is ok

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  • Never heard of it either. Hoping that, as the story is from the US, maybe it Dorset apply to us here in Australia. And to think we all go to thr beach for a day of fun, when in reality it’s so full of danger. Life is a roller coaster

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  • Wow this is super scary. I would never have thought this could ever happen. It is so great that there are people out there sharing their story with the world to help promote awareness and ensure other parents are across this. I would never have thought anything like this could happen.

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  • Oh wow, that is super scary. My kids are always asking to go swimming no matter what the temperature is and this story has made me super glad I always so no when it’s too cold. I don’t even feel guilty about it anymore either. Kids just don’t realise how dangerous it can be.


    • Yes, and not only the temperature of the water ! Coastal waters around the world are dangerous for several reasons; tides, currents, and rip tides pose a risk for drowning, plants and animals can harm humans through accidental contact, self-defense, or attack and not to forget overheating, undercooling and swallowing of the salty seawater can cause dehydration

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  • I’ve never seen this either but good to be aware of.

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  • This is not something you’d instinctively think of.

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  • Great care has to always be taken when swimming in the ocean, river, lake or a pool. We always check the weather conditions and adjust plans accordingly. It is so important to be across all possible signs of children being unwell and being able to handle these indeed scary situations.

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  • Hypothermia is a condition whereby the core temperature drops below 35 C. Hypothermia occurs after exposure to cold, wet or windy conditions. When you’re exposed to cold, your body expends energy to keep you warm. Eventually, with continued exposure to cold temperatures, your body uses up its stored energy and your body temperature begins to fall. You’re not able to warm yourself back up


    • Hypothermia can happen so easily to young children because they have less muscle mass than grown adults. We always prepare and have many layers clothing with us when we are outdoors; particularly when bush walking and outdoors as the weather conditions can turn so quickly and be so very dangerous.



      • A wise decision for sure ! My nephew died some years ago from hypothermia. He was studying in Canada and turned out to have an unknown heart desease (Brugada syndrome) which caused his heart and body not to be able to cope with the sudden cold. It was very sad.

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  • Oh no, another unusual but real risk to worry about.

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