Drowning not the only devastation to occur in the family pool

Drowning is regarded as the worst scenario of what can happen in the humble backyard pool. However, Hervey Bay resident Mark Farrell represents another consequence of what can go wrong during a simple swim.

In 1994 at the age of 14, Mark was swimming in the family pool when his brother found him face down in the water.

Mark had sustained a spinal cord injury after jumping feet first into the deep end of the pool – the hard impact permanently damaging his neck.

After surviving almost drowning, Mark then spent 11 months in Queensland’s only spinal unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

As Mark incurred quadriplegia, he had to adjust to life using an electric wheelchair and having people assist him to complete everyday things that had once been so simple, such as dressing, eating and showering.

He believes that while the new law passed by the State Government this week regarding pool safety at home is a much-needed initiative and should be applauded, he warns that Queenslanders should also be mindful of other potential dangers that can occur in the backyard pool.

“I had swum in our pool hundreds of times. I’d scraped my nose and my toes but I kept on diving in because I wasn’t aware of the dangers,” Mark said.

“Drowning is a shocking, split second action that can devastate so many people, but so is sustaining a spinal cord injury.”

Now 28 and an integral member of the Spinal Education Awareness Team (SEAT), Mark also spends up to five months a year photographing the whales and dolphins of Hervey Bay onboard the MV Whalesong.

“In my SEAT presentations, I tell the students to always walk into the water because you’re better off stubbing your toe than hitting your head,” Mark said.

Spinal Injuries Association CEO Mark Henley said doctors often described a spinal cord injury as one of the worst injures you could sustain.

“The effect a spinal cord injury has on the body is colossal,” Mr Henley said.

“Not only do newly-injured patients have to adjust to using a wheelchair, but their bladder and bowel control, body temperature, self confidence and emotional wellbeing are also affected.

“Then there comes the obstacles of trying to return to their home or workplace or school or sporting club or regular supermarket that may not have adequate access for wheelchairs.”

Mr Henley said water-related accidents were the third biggest cause of spinal cord injuries in Queensland each year, accounting for approximately 10% of these injuries.

“Around 90 people a year sustain a spinal cord injury in Queensland – a sobering average of one person every four days,” he said.

“We are often reminded of the devastation of drowning in this state, but little is told about the people that are left behind with a spinal cord injury after almost drowning.”

The Spinal Injuries Association is a not-for-profit organisation that has been dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with a spinal cord injury since 1960.

Issued 16 December.