Hero Father Saves 2-Year-Old Daughter from Drowning in Family Pool

A North Carolina father's quick thinking and CPR skills saved his 2-year-old daughter from drowning in the family pool over Memorial Day weekend. The incident highlights the importance of water safety and adult supervision around young children.

On a fateful Memorial Day weekend in North Carolina, a family gathering turned into a terrifying ordeal when 2-year-old Mila fell into the family's pool without a flotation device. Surveillance footage captured the heart-stopping moment when family and friends rushed to her aid.

"My 10-year-old daughter is screaming out my youngest daughter's name. Mila! And she just screamed it really loud. I looked and turned around and saw my 2-year-old daughter floating," Mila's father, Matthew, recalled to police.

Hero Father Saves 2-Year-Old Daughter from Drowning in Family Pool

Without hesitation, Matthew jumped into the pool and pulled his daughter out of the water. Time was of the essence, and he knew every second counted.

Mila's mother, Amy, watched in horror as her daughter turned blue and gray. "I felt hopeless. I just felt completely hopeless, like my baby is dead," she said.

Hero Father Saves 2-Year-Old Daughter from Drowning in Family Pool

But Matthew's quick actions and knowledge of CPR proved to be Mila's lifeline. "Her stomach was filled with air, so I got her up, and I was going to try to express the air by beating her on her back," he explained. "When I did, she did release the air and started to cry."

After Mila started breathing again, she was rushed to the hospital, where she made a full recovery. "The doctor said that if I hadn't done that, she wouldn't be here," said Matthew, beaming with pride.

Hero Father Saves 2-Year-Old Daughter from Drowning in Family Pool

The incident has left an indelible mark on the family and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of water safety. Mila's parents urge all parents and caregivers to be vigilant and to provide proper supervision around water.

"We will always have an adult in the water playing with the children," said Amy. "Our role now is that an adult must be in the water with the children, playing with them and interacting with them."

Hero Father Saves 2-Year-Old Daughter from Drowning in Family Pool

Matthew also emphasizes the need for everyone to be "up to date" on CPR. "If you're by a pool, you need to know how to give mouth-to-mouth," he said.

According to the Gastonia County Sheriff's Office, 9 out of 10 children between the ages of 1 and 14 who drown were under supervision when they did. Parents and caregivers are urged to provide constant and attentive supervision around water, regardless of the child's swimming ability.

Other water safety tips from experts include:

* Always wear a life jacket when boating or swimming in natural bodies of water.

* Designate a "water watcher" who is responsible for supervising children in the water.

* Install fencing or other barriers around pools to prevent unsupervised access.

* Empty inflatable pools when not in use.

* Keep rescue equipment, such as life jackets and reaching poles, readily available.

* Avoid alcohol and drugs while supervising children in the water.