A trip to the beach is often seen as the perfect way to beat the intense summer heat, but for one Massachusetts mother, it became a reminder that the ocean can pose unexpected dangers.
She is now determined to share her experience as a cautionary tale.
Although more than a week has passed since the incident, Heather Cassini admits she is still deeply unsettled by what happened.
On July 4, while Heather and her 10-year-old son Declan were enjoying a day at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire, Declan suddenly complained of feeling unwell. At first, Heather wasn’t alarmed-Declan had been swimming in the ocean on a hot day, and she assumed he was simply tired.
In a Facebook post that has since gained widespread attention, Heather explained, “I figured he’d just overdone it after breakfast and needed to rest.” However, as they began to leave so Declan could lie down, he became confused and accidentally bumped into another beachgoer.
Declan briefly regained his footing, but soon collapsed again.
Heather, who is pregnant, described her struggle to help her son: “I was desperately trying to pick him up.” Declan was vomiting, drifting in and out of consciousness, and looked extremely pale.
Several women nearby noticed the emergency and quickly stepped in to help. Paramedics arrived, monitoring Declan’s vital signs and working to keep him conscious and warm.
Heather expressed her gratitude for the many nurses who happened to be nearby, saying, “We were surrounded by so many caring people.”
After what felt like an eternity, Declan finally became responsive. Heather and her son waited in the car until he started to feel better.
Doctors later determined that Declan had suffered from hypothermia, brought on by the ocean’s chilly 52-degree temperature.
Heather confessed, “I never realized this was possible. I always worried about things like sunburn and dehydration, not cold shock.”
Following Declan’s swift recovery, Heather is eager to warn others about the potential for hypothermia-even during the height of summer.
She advises parents, “Just because your kids love the water and don’t seem cold doesn’t mean they’re safe.” She added, “It never crossed my mind that hypothermia could happen on such a hot day. This is an important reminder for everyone, not just parents.”
