10 Lifeguards On Duty When 4-Year-Old Drowned
Lifeguard-To-Swimmer Ratio Meets State Law

Story by ChannelOklahoma

MIDWEST CITY, Okla. -- The city of Midwest City is investigating the death of a 4-year-old girl, who drowned in a metro pool with 10 lifeguards on duty at the time.


The city's parks department said 10 lifeguards were present at Reno Swim and Slide when the girl, Tayana Bowers, went under water.

Fifty-six people were swimming in the pool at the time - a lifeguard-to-swimmer staffing ratio that more than meets requirements under state law, Eyewitness News 5 reported.

In addition to the lifeguards, an adult was also at the pool with Bowers. But that adult was also watching three other children, which is in violation of the pool's policy that one adult be present for every two children.

The city said lifejackets are not mandatory at the pool, saying it is up to the parents to decide if their children should wear them.

Lifejackets can also create a false sense of security, they added, saying parents might not think they have to watch their children as closely if they are wearing a floatation device.