Six-year-old saves friend from drowning

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Jun 5th 2008 5:00PM

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes, even pint-sized. When Josiah Buddah took off his water wings and sank to the bottom of the pool, the adults in the area didn't notice. But buddy Haden Stusak did. Though he's only six years old, Haden took it upon himself to dive deep and pull the unconcious Josiah to safety. The he cried, "Help, help, he drowned."

Josiah is doing well, thanks to Haden's quick thinking, and now swims with a float suit. Haden may be a hero, but he's humble as well. "We're friends," he said, "That's what friends do." I think Josiah is pretty lucky to have a friend like Haden!

This story is a good reminder that though swimming is a great way for the whole family to cool off in the hot summer weather, without supervision pools (or any other body of water) can also be dangerous. Visit the American Red Cross for tips on keeping your little swimmers safe this summer.

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Comments (58)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Amy 6-05-2008 @ 7:07PM

A hero indeed. Quick thinking! Well done Haden :).

Kathy 6-08-2008 @ 1:39AM

way to go, Haden. You did the right thing, the only thing you could do. I thank God you had the foresight to realize if you didn't help him, he would surely die. Again, i say, way to go.

Bobby G 6-08-2008 @ 2:12AM

Important tip: It's not always easy to recognize when a little kid is tired and struggling in the water. They can be right at the surface one second and gone the next time you look back. When they are too tired to swim anymore they get quiet and usually do a lot of slapping on top of the water before they go down the third time. They get too tired and scared to yell for help. I saved a kid. I remember watching him very closely before I walked into the water fully clothed and helped him out just before he sank. He was done. He thanked me later in the day. His parents weren't paying attention at the party. He had been swimming around a group of kids in the deep end. But, nobody was paying any attention to him. It would have been easy to lose him if I wasn't watching. My point is that it isn't dramatically obvious when a kid is in trouble. You have to be watching closely at all times or keep them out of the pool.

Brett 6-05-2008 @ 7:58PM

Hi! Great story. As a lifeguard in my younger years we banned arm floats, or floaties. Floaties do not support the head of the wearer and should be banned from all pools and parents should be educated about their potential danger. Floaties also do not allow the free movement of the arms of the wearer, so the natural swimming motion is limited.

I strongly suggest a coast guard approved life jacket or swim suit with a built in back floaty. These safe swim aids support the neck and back of the wearer and should the wearer become compromised they are designed to put the wearer in the right position to aid normal respiration.

With the swim season upon us it is time to think about swim safety and get our little ones swim lessons so they are comfortable around the water and parents should always watch their children regardless of a lifeguard being present. Teach your children to respect the water and they will learn a valuable lesson.

Barb 6-08-2008 @ 5:00AM

Brett, thank you so much!!!! I have floaties for my 6 year old grandaughter. I'll certainly find something much safer for her now.
And Hayden what a wonderful fast thinking young man you are, you have a very lucky friend.

me 6-07-2008 @ 8:09PM

thanks for saving your friend, but you are not a todller. Have the people say it right

Pat De Range 6-07-2008 @ 8:33PM

Loved this story...whish you had more like this. That little boy is an Angel !

Debbie 6-07-2008 @ 8:35PM

Haden, a true hero is someone who does something courageous not for the glory, but because it is the right thing to do. A true hero does not expect glory, or gifts, or money, or news stories about his deeds, but is humbled and embarrassed by the attention. Today Haden, you are a true hero. Keep up the good work.

hilarytcmn 6-07-2008 @ 8:40PM

Great story.....but a six year old is not a toddler, which is what the AOL story highlight said to get your attention!

smarteepantz 6-07-2008 @ 8:49PM

That's the first thing I thought, even before reading the article. Overshadowing this child's heroic feat by attempting to make it more sensational doesn't do anyone a service. Shame on AOL!
And this boy is a quick-thinking hero. Hopefully he'll grow up to be an EMT, ER doctor or nurse, and put those reflexes to great use!!

Nicky 6-07-2008 @ 10:23PM

couldn't agree with you more. great deed in itself by such a young CHILD, but don't exaggerate an already wonderful story

Tori 6-07-2008 @ 8:48PM

This IS a great story...but I wish AOL would stop referring to 5 and 6 year olds as "toddlers"! Anything to get us to click on the story though, I guess....

D 6-07-2008 @ 9:12PM

6 years old is not a toddler. Aol is bad for putting one thing in the headline and another in the article.

Jon 6-07-2008 @ 9:48PM

I work with kids so that was my first response-A six-year-olds is most cirtainly not a toddler! Great story though.

Beth 6-07-2008 @ 10:27PM

I hope that if you work with children, that you do NOT teach them spelling. Certainly is not spelled the way they have it. So, I have to forgive AOL, just as I will you if you will brush up on your spelling while working with kids.

ken 6-07-2008 @ 9:31PM

I clicked the headline because I wanted to know how a toddler saved someone from drowning. I had an image of a 2 or 3 year old pulling another child out of a bathtub or something. Turns out it wasn't a toddler at all, it was a 6 year old. C'mon AOL let's be a little more acurate, ok?

undrgrndgirl 6-07-2008 @ 9:45PM

hey, AOL a six year old is NOT a toddler...
good job haden!

vote mccain 6-07-2008 @ 10:54PM

god bless this little boy
i seen to many kids drown when parents are not watching
it only take a second

Donald Conley 6-07-2008 @ 9:54PM

This is a heartwarming story. I love it that the little guy was saved. A 6 year old is not a toddler. AOL's headline for this story belongs in a trashy tabloid. If you do this to us often enough we won't take anything you write seriously, AOL. We'll always be looking at your stories with suspicions, even the heartwarming ones. I am disappointed in the state of American journalism.

Wiscats 6-07-2008 @ 9:54PM

That's a wonderful story. the sensationalized headline, "TODDLER saves boy from drowning," is not necessary to make the story better. 6 years old is NOT a toddler!

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