A hot summer day at the beach seems like the perfect way to cool off, but one Massachusetts mother learned the hard way that the ocean can pose unexpected dangers. Now, she’s speaking out to warn other parents about a hidden risk that nearly cost her son his life.
A Day at the Beach Turns Scary
Heather Cassini, 40, and her family were visiting Hampton Beach in New Hampshire on July 4, hoping to enjoy a fun-filled holiday by the water. Her 10-year-old son, Declan, had been happily playing in the ocean for a while when he suddenly complained that he wasn’t feeling well.
At first, Cassini wasn’t overly concerned. The sun was beating down, and she assumed the combination of heat and a big breakfast had simply caught up with him.
“I thought the breakfast was just too much for the waves and he just needed to lay down,” Cassini shared in a now-viral Facebook post.
But things took a terrifying turn. As they started walking back to their beach setup, Declan became disoriented and suddenly collapsed onto a sunbather nearby.
Although he briefly managed to stand again, he quickly stumbled and fell to the ground once more. Cassini, who is pregnant, struggled to help him up, growing more frantic by the second. Declan was going in and out of consciousness, vomiting, and had turned shockingly pale.
Strangers Jump In to Help
Thankfully, several beachgoers noticed the distressing situation and immediately rushed over to help.
“God bless all the people around us. There were so many nurses,” Cassini said, expressing her gratitude for the bystanders who acted quickly.
Paramedics soon arrived, checking Declan’s vitals and working to keep him warm and conscious. The incident, which felt like an eternity to Cassini, was eventually resolved when Declan slowly began to regain his strength and ability to talk.
Once he was stable enough, they made their way to the car, hoping the worst was over. But what had happened to him?
The Unexpected Diagnosis: Hypothermia
After medical evaluation, it was determined that Declan had suffered from hypothermia. Despite the warm summer temperatures, the ocean water was only 52 degrees—a dangerously low temperature that can lead to what’s known as “cold shock.”
“I had no idea that this could happen,” Cassini admitted. “You think about sunburns, dehydration, and all the usual dangers at the beach, but I never considered hypothermia in the middle of summer.”
A Warning for All Parents
Now that Declan has fully recovered, Cassini is using their experience to educate other families about the risks of cold shock.
“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,” she wrote.
Cold water shock can occur in temperatures below 70 degrees and can cause dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle control, and even unconsciousness. In severe cases, it can lead to drowning.
To help prevent this from happening to others, experts recommend limiting time spent in cold water, ensuring frequent breaks to warm up, and recognizing early warning signs of hypothermia, such as shivering, fatigue, or confusion.
Spread the Word
Cassini’s story serves as an important reminder that while the beach is a great place to relax and have fun, it’s also crucial to be aware of all potential dangers—not just the obvious ones like rip currents and jellyfish stings.
“I had no idea you could get hypothermia even on a hot summer day! This is such an important message for everyone, not just parents with young kids.”
As summer continues, be sure to share this warning with family and friends. It could save a life.
Sophia Reynolds is a dedicated journalist and a key contributor to Storyoftheday24.com. With a passion for uncovering compelling stories, Sophia Reynolds delivers insightful, well-researched news across various categories. Known for breaking down complex topics into engaging and accessible content, Sophia Reynolds has built a reputation for accuracy and reliability. With years of experience in the media industry, Sophia Reynolds remains committed to providing readers with timely and trustworthy news, making them a respected voice in modern journalism.
