7-year-old boy pulled from pool at DeKalb County apartment complex

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County police say they responded to a possible drowning on Thursday at The Legacy at Druid Hills on Druid Valley Drive on Thursday afternoon.

According to police, a 7-year-old boy was pulled from a pool and taken to a hospital. At this time, it is not known if the child is alive or dead. Police told FOX 5 Atlanta they are still waiting for confirmation of the child's status, but say he suffered life-threatening injuries.

Resident Diamond Christina, who says she was at the pool at the time, says she saw three children, all appearing to be under the age of 10, enter the pool area around noon. She noted they were not accompanied by an adult. Less than an hour later, that same pool would be surrounded by first reponders.

She tells FOX 5 the children were jumping in and out of the deep end, which she says is 9-feet deep. She says the pool is divided by a boom, separating the shallow and deep ends. 

At some point, she noticed one of the boys was bobbing in the water. She yelled to the girl in the group that he was in distress. In response, the girl explained that her brother does this all the time. However, Christina was skeptical, telling her, "Girl, I don't think your brother is playing, you need to get in the water and help him." 

She says she, and another woman at the pool at the time, did not feel comfortable going into the water to get the boy, so she rushed to get help, banging on nearby doors for someone to call 911. 

The two women were eventually able to pull him from the pool. Christina says he was not breathing, and medics began performing CPR. He was eventually rushed to an area hospital. 

Christina revealed that she overheard one of the children saying they were not even allowed at the pool.

The DeKalb County Police Department is investigating. No arrests have been made.

Apartment pools and Georgia law 

The state of Georgia does not limit the maximum depth of a swimming pool, but the typical depth of most apartment pools in Georgia is typically 8 feet. The law does require the shallow end of a pool not to exceed five feet. Visible depth markers are required on both sides along the deck. 

Georgia also requires the following lifesaving devices: 

• A life ring, a flotation device attached to a rope, must be readily accessible within the pool area. The rope must be long enough to reach across the width of the pool.
• A non-telescoping reaching pole, at least 12 feet in length, must be available for rescuing swimmers in distress.
• A well-stocked first aid kit must be available on-site and easily accessible in case of minor injuries or medical emergencies.
• An emergency telephone or another communication device must be present in the pool area, with posted instructions for contacting emergency services. It should be hardwired and weatherproof.

In addition, each pool must have a fence around it, at least 4 feet high, with a door that can latch securely. "No Lifeguard on Duty" must also be posted along with emergency contact information, if that is the case. 

SEE ALSO: What color is your child’s swimwear? It might just save their lives

Rescuing a swimmer in distress

Safety in a pool or on the open water is paramount. Knowing the signs of drowning and how best to rescue a swimmer in distress are key to that. 

Everyone who gets into the water should know their skill level and children should never swim without adult supervision. For those who do not have confidence in their swimming ability, flotation devices such as a life jacket or a swimming aid should be used. 

At least one adult should always be watching the water if there are no lifeguards. The spotter can routinely rotate to maintain vigilance, ensuring that a fresh set of eyes is always watching the water. This rotation allows everyone to have fun safely. That person should be looking for swimmers who are struggling to keep their heads above water, gasping for air, flailing arms, the inability to call for help, and a vertical body position with little or no leg movement. 

Once a distressed swimmer is spotted, what happens next? Several organizations subscribe to the "Reach, Row, Throw, Go" rescue method to minimize the dangers to the rescuer. 

Here are the steps in the order in which they should be attempted: 

1. Reach - If the person is close to the shore or the pool edge, extend a long object such as a pole, branch, or towel for them to grab onto. Lie down to maintain stability and prevent being pulled in. Guide the person to safety, reassuring them throughout the process. 

2. Row - If the person is further out, use a boat or any floating device to row to them. Approach from behind or the side to avoid capsizing. Once close enough, offer the person an oar, paddle, or a similar object to hold onto. 

3. Throw - If reaching or rowing is not possible, throw a buoyant object like a life jacket, flotation ring, or even a cooler to the person. Ensure the object can support their weight. Aim close to them to minimize effort in grabbing it. 

4. Go - As a last resort, if the above methods are not feasible, enter the water to reach the person. Only strong swimmers should attempt this one, and flotation devices should be used. Approaching a panicked person in water can be dangerous.  

Knowing CPR is also encouraged. The American Red Cross frequently offers classes.

Area YMCAs also offer swimming classes for beginers of those looking to strengthen their skills.

This story is developing. Check back for details. If you have additional information, pictures, or video email newstipsatlanta@fox.com.