Scanned Documents Received under FOIA

During a drowning investigation, many questions need to be answered.

After clicking through the links on this page and water safety website, we invite you to share your ideas on what caused these fatal public pool drownings by e-mailing Ken Ascher with your observations.

Regarding the Saginaw, Michigan High School pool drowning; it was highly unusual for a 17-year old to drown with the only lifeguard on duty wearing a removable splint and using crutches and a wheelchair. Although Manley's report on page 3 states "the staff responded professionally" critical irregularities were uncovered. The only on-duty staff lifeguard was apparently using a wheelchair for stability to help keep her from falling on the pool deck after she chipped a bone in her knee in a recent motorcycle accident as reported on page 2 of Manley's report. Although requested multiple times under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, Saginaw High School can not provide "one copy of the front and back side of the certificate indicating valid and current evidence of successful completion of a recognized course of instruction in adult, child, and infant cardiopulmonary resuscitation with training in 2-person and resuscitation barriers of the type offered by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or the National Safety Council...as required by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978 administrative rule 325.2198(3b)." In addition, after multiple requests, Saginaw High School can not provide "one copy of the pool contingency and emergency response plan that was in effect on March 20, 2001 during the drowning death of Benjamin Henderson as required under MDEQ administrative rule 325.2194a(1)."

Regarding the Livonia, Michigan pool drowning; it was highly unusual for a 15-year old to drown with four lifeguards on duty so an investigation was opened by Kenneth A Ascher, Chairman & CEO of Communications Electronics, Emergency Operations Center by examining the credentials of the lifeguards on duty. Critical irregularities were uncovered. Two of the four (50%) of the lifeguards on-duty did not have current required lifeguard credentials, specifically CPR for the Professional Rescuer or equivalent, as required by the State of Michigan. As stated on the American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer credential "Training in Basic Life Support for the Professional Rescuer is valid for one year from the course completion date." The credential holder then signs their name under this expiration date statement on the back of their course completion credential. The CPR for the Professional Rescuer certificate for Jason Vanesley expired in May, 1995, three months before the drowning. Lifeguard Ann Margaret McLean had no evidence of current CPR for the Professional Rescuer as required by the State of Michigan. A lack of current lifesaving training can result in a slow, inadequate emergency response. Some witnesses commented that the lifeguards did not promptly respond to this drowning. Click on the document you want to view, then use your browser back arrow to return to this page.