Hmmm, the girlfriend leaves him alone in the pool to have a cigarette when he is known to have seizures. Then she wants to blame a lifeguard for not acting fast enough when the pool was at the maximum capacity.

Its impossible to watch every person and count to make sure all 80 people are coming up for air every time they dive under.

Sad for such a thing to happen to such a young person, but the blame shouldnt be on someone else. It was a tragic accident.

I was a lifeguard at Pt. Mallard in my teenage years. I can tell you that no matter how vigilant a lifeguard can be, it is impossible to see everything. It is also very hard to see somebody under the water when there is a pool full of people causing the water to ripple so much.

It's been just over two days since she lost one of the most important people in her life. I read in the article to say that she not only questioned the life guards and others in the pool, but that she also blamed herself for leaving the area. Her behavior is very common for someone who just experienced the tragic death of a loved one. Under these circumstances, our minds immediately begin to make sense of it all, even if there is no sense to be made.

It is easy to be level headed when you are detached from the situation. It's not so easy for those who were close to him. I hope that she and her children receive help in healing. If so, they too will be able to see this as the tragic accident that it is.....in time. Our prayers are with the family.

s said it best. DD is just using her for a headline.

80 people in a crowded pool splashing.... someone quietly slips under the water. It's hard to tell that someone isn't moving underwater when everyone above them is playing and splashing

she knew he had medical problems and she still chose to leave him by himself while she smoked a cigarette? But she wants to question a lifeguard? If she just had to smoke that bad he should have gotten out with her and followed her. Hope that smoke was worth it.

yeah jimmy! the cigerette is what killed him... all questions answered now.....

I was a lifeguard also and I agree that it is very difficult to keep track of everyone and especially the people underwater in a crowded pool. I would suggest that some sort of floatation devise be worn by folks that arent strong swimmers and with medical disorders know matter how old you are. Even a strong swimmer can have an issue that could put them iin a bad situation. RESPECT THE WATER.

I know Carrie Matthews Pool very well. I know that at full capacity it is still possible to see everyone and every aspect of the pool if the lifeguards are scanning the way they are suppose to be and are placed properly because there are no blind spots in the pool under the new design for the middle of the pool. I cannot understand how someone could have been in 5' of water (the deepest) and be under long enough to float upward. If the guard was scanning correctly he would have noticed a body on the bottom of the floor w/in 10 seconds (which is protocol), activated the emergency code, and have him out w/in 20 seconds (which is protocol) and the breathing aspect of CPR would have been started in the pool prior to removal. I find it shameful that the girlfriend is being blamed because she went to smoke. The patron should not of had to ask the lifeguard if they saw her boyfriend before the guard noticed him on the bottom of the pool. I also find it very interesting how the Daily is protecting Parks and Recreation. The drowning occurred Sat, in Sundays sports section was the mini-article. On Monday, the article was on the back of the front page. The only reason this situation got covered, was due the girlfriend's questions, which I believe are warranted.

I think it is downright shameful for those of you commenting on the girlfriend smoking and leaving him there. I am sure if she had even one doubt that something would have happened she would have NEVER gone to smoke a cigarette. She is suffering enough and blaming herself enough already. Have the decency to allow her to grieve the loss of her mate and love without pointing fingers at her. I feel very sorry for her and will say a little prayer for her. I don't know what I would do if I lost my husband. Ms. Bradley, if you see this which I hope that you don't because of the horrible posts, I pray for you to find peace with your loss. Do not blame yourself because this is just another tragic accident.

First of all let me say to u all who feel the need to comment on why I left the pool. Purez who was dear to me was a grown man...Myself nor anyone close to him could stop him from doing something when he wanted to do it. Obviously none of you all knew him and as far as ur simple minded stupid comments about a cigarette killed him that just shows how stupid people are out here. OF COURSE U DON'T KNOW THE STORY EITHER....HE WASNT OVERLOOKED..THE LIFEGUARD THOUGHT HE WAS PLAYING AND TOLD A LITTLE BOY TO PINCH HIM TO SEE....THEY WERE NEGLIGENT AND THAT IS WHY MY BEST FRIEND IS GONE RIGHT NOW...CIGARETTE OR NO CIGARETTE...SO FOR ALL OF U THAT FEEL THE NEED TO BE JUDGMENTAL TOWARDS MY ACTIONS, KISS MY ASS....HE KNOW I LOVED HIM AND PROTECTED HIM TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY...THOSE PEOPLE ARE THERE TO SAVE LIVES, GET IT...THAT MEANS HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAVED BY THEM BUT THEY DIDN'T GET THE JOB DONE BECAUSE THEY ARE KIDS WHO OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T THINK THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN....THERE WAS BLOOD EVERY WHERE ON THE SIDE WALK AFTER THEY TOOK HIM AWAY, WHY DIDNT THEY SEE THAT IN THE POOL...WHY ISNT EACH LIFEGUARD DESIGNATED TO WATCH ONE SPECIFIC PART OF THE POOL INSTEAD OF LETTING THEIR LITTLE EYES SCAN TO WHERE EVER THEY WANT.....LOOK THE BOTTOM LINE IS THEY NEED TO CLOSE THAT POOL BECAUSE NEGLIGENCE COST MY SWEETHEART'S LIFE AND IF YOU CANNOT KEEP AN EYE ON EACH AND EVERY PERSON IN THE POOL TO ASSURE THEM FROM DROWNING THEN THERE SHOULDNT BE A POOL...THATS IT THATS ALL....PERIOD!!!!

AND AS FAR AS YOU ALL TRYING TO PUT ME DOWN, I JUST HOPE WHEN TRAGEDY STRIKES U, U REMEMBER THIS DAY BECAUSE WE DON'T CONTROL WHAT IS DONE BUT WE CAN CONTROL WHAT WE SAY AND DISRESPECTING MY BEST FRIEND AND MYSELF BUT UR SIMPLE COMMENTS IS FA THE BIRDS.....Of course I feel bad whether you all say something or not but what I bet you is HE KNEW I LOVED HIM SO all that extra lip u got goin is fa the birds and they are chirping for u with their little brains....You all must have little high school friends that work there and that is why u don't have respect fa the loss and loved ones....GOOD THING IS A PERSON LIKE ME DOESN'T CARE WUT U THINK....of course I am dealin wit my own guilt but the Lord know how much I tried to protect him but he was grown again and I couldnt be with hin every minute of his life with or without seizures....yal just shut up and respect my baby may his soul RIP

thank u S fa understanding..,.,i was just trying to give myself strength and when I read what these heartless people wrote it broke me down all over again..IM GOIN TO LIVE WIT THE FACT THAT I SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT TO SMOKE A CIGARETTE but despite what any of u think...I LOVE MY MAN AND WOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT HIS SIDE HAD I KNEW THIS. He didn't have seizures every day, he didnt even have them every week. It had gotten to approx 1 a month or every other month so even tho I dont have to explain myself to any of u, I felt u needed to know a few things about my baby and I am upset that he left me down here wit heatless people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tragic accident, these lifeguards weren't negligent. I feel it is the responsibility of the users of the pool to disclose a medical condition so the lifeguards may be aware of the pool user's potential adverse medical episode. don't shout negligence, personal responsibility is key in safety. I sympathize with the loss of this young man but just because lifeguards are posted does not mean they can save all lives after such a terrible accident. it is no one persons fault, it is an accident. he was a grown man that had a disorder that decided to go swimming and the unfortunate outcome was not the end result we all would hope for. peace be with the SWOOPES family and his extended family, prayers for all involved.