Disturbing video shows woman drowning, rescuers say it may be 'silent killer'

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Southern Nevada Health District released video this week showing a woman fighting for her life in a pool at the Las Vegas Athletic Club.

The woman, identified as 58-year-old Leticia Triplett, is seen struggling to swim for more than 20 minutes.

Several passersby walk past her, unaware that Triplett is apparently drowning.

Triplett died because of this.

Channel 13 wanted to know more about drowning prevention. We went to Alexis Park Resort where a lifeguard certification course was taking place.

Christine Gorlin, aquatics manager for Desert Lifeguard Management, said a lifeguard could have prevented Triplett’s death.

“Even if you don’t have a lifeguard, someone who regularly monitors the pool and sits on the deck of the pool might be enough,” Triplett said. “Because the response time for someone who’s not in that area is going to be much longer, and relying on people who may not know the proper protocol or what to do could make it really difficult.”

Gorlin said lifeguards are trained to respond to a drowning victim within 20 seconds and get them out of the water within two minutes. When every second counts, Gorlin said lifeguards can also recognize the silent signs of drowning.

“It’s not like in the movies where you say, ‘Hey, lifeguard, save me!'” Gorlin said. “It can be very quiet and happen very quickly.”

Gorlin recommends following the ABC tips. A stands for adult supervision. B stands for barriers, which means your pool is completely enclosed at all times. C stands for courses.

“The more comfortable people are in the water, the less likely it is that things will get worse,” Gorlin said.

The LVAC pools are only four feet deep, but Gorlin said drownings can happen anywhere.

“You only need a little bit of water to deal with any type of situation,” Gorlin said.

Following the February incident, SNHD revoked a waiver allowing LVAC to operate its pools without a lifeguard. LVAC is taking SNHD to court.