Snorkeler, 5, tells how he nearly ‘drown-ded’

“There was nothing dangerous around us. It just happened in a moment."

Nothing dangerous around???  How about the ocean!?!  You were surrounded by danger!  You can't leave a 9 year old in charge of a 5 year old when snorkeling in the OCEAN!!!!

She was taking pictures of her son while he was laying there dead????? Probably to sell to a magazine later.

I think she was recording it thinking her son would live to see it and if he didn't survive, she wanted to remember his last moments alive, I don't think she was planning to make any profit off of him.

I'm sorry, but I'm having a hard time with this article.  They keep saying this happened in a split moment.  The child was oxygen deprived for over 8 minutes!  That is not a split moment.  And profit or not, you think Mom would have more important things on her mind  than videotaping the moment.  I think the moral of this story is that parents need to take responsibility for their children!  This boy is 5, why didn't dad buddy up with him instead of leaving a 9 year old to watch him.

I have the same concern. This story just doesn't sit well with me. WHY would a mother take pictures and video as her son lay dying? Of course, he didn't die (thank God), but I am not buying the whole "I just knew he would be fine and he'd want to see the pictures of what happened to him". What? Why? And the casually mentioned pciture of God as a dove seems much more significant than it was portrayed in the clip or in the article. Is there a forthcoming book deal on near death experiences complete with detailed photos of the event? Why is this not sitting right? Am I that cynical?

ETA--I too pray that I will never have to live through what this family went through and I am truly happy that everything turned out as it did. This little boy is precious.

I am a parent and I don't know how I would react in a situation like this. Of course, I don't want to ever find out. But, for sure, I won't be taking pictures!!!

I think the true miracle is that the kid's older brother (9 year old) located him under water so quickly.

God bless those kids - and make the parents smarter.

I'd like to point out that not one of us can predict how we would act in a crisis.  You never really know until it's happening to you.

It's easy for those of us on the outside to pass judgement on what we consider "irrational, weird, suspicious" behaviors.  After working for nearly 20 years as an ICU nurse, I have learned that it's not my duty to act as judge, jury and executioner.   I have witnessed way too many "odd" behaviors in times of crisis. 

If, down the road, this terrible accident is used by the parents for financial gain, then I will agree with some of you here.  Until then...

I am not one who usually places comments but I am so happy this child lived ....thank You, God.  Only one question...Was the camera around her neck or cell phone in her hand when her child's body was carried from the water????  I know people act in many ways to different situations but this one has me puzzled.  And already on TV...wow!

I want to know why her her four year old CHILD wasn't wearing a life jacket!

I went snorkeling this past summer in Jamaica and I had to wear one!

The water was "only" 2.5 feet deep. It's the freaking OCEAN.

Completely irresponsible, disgusting parents.

Thank you for reading this story of our family’s tragedy. We thank God many times a day for sparing our Nicholas and giving us a second chance to share our lives with him. We pray nobody has to ever experience the horrific pain we experienced and then read on this “newsvine” how “irresponsible” it sounds or may have been according to some. A teaspoon of water or a speck of food is all it takes to take a moment in time and change it into a tragedy. We are parents that would prefer to keep our children in a safety bubble, but also appreciate what life has to offer and will continue to make sure our kids have that opportunity. Nicholas remembers and has shared with us everything about the accident. He has shared his feelings about the pain he felt when he was dying and the “warmth from God” as “He grabbed him by the hand and helped him breathe and took the pain away." We, as a very close family, appreciate this opportunity every morning when we wake up and send Nick and his brothers off to school on the bus and every evening, when we hug and kiss our kids goodnight. I also thank God for the "wisdom," as bizarre as it may be to some, that my wife did take the photos of our son’s horrible event, because by sharing them, we have made a difference in many people’s lives. We have heard from all over the world how Nick’s near-drowning event has impacted their lives, from accepting their family member’s drowning death to just appreciating that extra moment in their day now taken to hug their kids just a little bit harder and a little bit longer.

This event did not happen to Nick. This horrible event, as painful for us as it was, happened for a reason we specifically do not know yet as he is 100% completely back to normal and still, months later, we are still hearing about how his horrible event has changed so many people’s lives. Thankfully, the photos and eventually one day maybe hospital bills, will be the only “concrete” things we have to remind us aside from the horrible memories of that day. I will never forget how soft and cold Nick’s lips were when I gave him his first breath on the beach and the agonizing hours spent at his bedside in the Pediatric ICU not knowing what the outcome would be or the extent of his brain damage (he was not under water for 8 minutes… we just couldn’t get him back for that long). By God’s grace and hard work through our entire life, we do not need money nor have we accepted a single cent from this event. When I asked my wife, in the midst of trying to revive my son and she was wailing so painfully over our son’s accident, to go over to our beach chairs to pray with our boys and daughter it was not with any intent to take pictures to do nothing but make, aside from their birth photos, the most cherished memories in our lives, especially now knowing Nicholas has fully recovered with no negative effects at all. We love and cherish our family, reason why we take thousands of pictures, and with good intent and as a promise to God for His miracle, shared with all the personal side of his experience and the tragedy that our family was spared...all, again, by the grace of God. There is no other explanation. We live in a wonderful, small community filled with people with huge hearts that come together for anyone in need of a prayer. Our local TV station and newspaper picked up the story which brought national attention. Other than to fulfill a promise to spread His Miracle and the power of prayer, we didn’t seek any attention for any other purpose. We are saddened to read that a few of you chose to look at, focus on and spend time on the negative side of this event and criticize what you thankfully haven’t experienced. But we also know that to every positive there’s always some negative and it is your right to express your opinion…we just couldn’t let it go any longer without sharing with you our thoughts. Here is Nick’s website and photos with the goal to share with all His Miracle and touch one more heart. www.nicholasmiracle.com

okay, so this surely seems like a loving family. however, who takes a five year old snorkeling in open water without having a grasp on his hand? i'm sorry, but that just seems like a very poor decision. i was swimming at age 4, however, i highly doubt my parents would have ever allowed me to snorkel at such a young age without having constant physical contact to ensure my safety. hello, rip currents? and can a five year really learn to use a snorkel properly?