On a hot summer day at Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, Heather Cassini’s family outing nearly turned tragic when her 10-year-old son, Declan, collapsed due to hypothermia after swimming in the ocean’s cold 52-degree water.
Declan initially complained of discomfort, but soon became disoriented and lost consciousness multiple times, vomiting and appearing pale. Cassini, pregnant at the time, struggled to keep her son safe amid the chaos but was aided by nearby nurses and thankfully paramedics arrived to stabilize him.
This frightening episode prompted Cassini to warn other parents about the risks of cold water injuries even on warm days. Hypothermia, often overlooked in summer, can strike swiftly in cold ocean waters.
Cassini now advises parents to keep close watch on children’s reactions to water temperature and urge caution to prevent water-related hypothermia incidents.
