Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Cowabunga Bay exec praises lifeguard response to near-drowning

Henderson water park Cowabunga Bay opened normally today after a 5-year-old boy nearly drowned in the wave pool Wednesday afternoon, according to the park.

The Henderson Fire Department was called about 4 p.m. to the water park, located at 900 Galleria Drive, near Gibson Road, according to department spokeswoman Kathleen Richards.

The boy was pulled from the deep end of the wave pool, and lifeguards performed CPR until paramedics arrived, according to a statement from Cowabunga Bay General Manager Shane Huish.

The child was taken to St. Rose Dominican Hospitals-Rose de Lima campus, where he was receiving medical care, Richards said.

An update on his condition was not available.

In a statement this morning, the water park said it responded immediately to the incident and that all of its lifeguards are certified by the National Aquatic Safety Co. They also receive additional training throughout the season, the park said.

“I am extremely proud of our staff and how quickly they responded to the situation,” Huish said Wednesday. “Right now our concern is with the health and well-being of those involved.”

According to a park spokesperson, the boy was not wearing a life jacket.

Cowabunga Bay recommends children shorter than 42 inches and youth who don't swim well wear a life jacket in the wave pool.

The park remained open after the incident, but the wave pool was closed during the investigation, according to a Cowabunga Bay spokesperson.

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