Malcolm-Jamal Warner, former star of The Cosby Show, has died in an apparent drowning off the coast of Costa Rica, according to local authorities. The 54-year-old was on a family trip when he drowned in the ocean, the Associated Press reported on Monday.
Warner’s body was discovered Sunday afternoon, officials said. He died near Cocles, a beach located in Limon, Costa Rica, after being caught in a strong current in the water, per authorities.
Warner played Theodore Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992. He reprised the role on spin-off A Different World for two episodes. He went on to appear in numerous TV series such as Reed Between the Lines, Major Crimes, Suits, Sneaky Pete, The Resident, 9-1-1 and American Crime Story, in which he portrayed real-life NFL player Al Cowlings. In addition to his work on TV, Warner was a performance poet and musician.
The news of the actor’s death comes in the middle of summer, when many people are flocking to beaches and pools to swim and cool off. While the exact circumstances of Warner’s death were not immediately clear, the tragedy is a reminder of the importance of water safety. Whether you’re swimming or just near a body of water — be it an ocean, lake or pool — always stay alert, follow safety guidelines and never underestimate the risks.
Below are some do’s and don’ts of water safety.
✅ DO: Learn how to swim
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 40 million adults in the United States do not know how to swim, but learning can save your life: About 4,500 people drown each year. Children, followed by people over the age of 65, are at the greatest risk of drowning.
If you don’t feel confident as a swimmer, consider taking lessons. Certain organizations, like the YMCA, are making adult lessons more accessible in the wake of economic and racial disparities in swim safety. The organization Making Waves offers swim lessons for those within the Black community who historically have had less access.
❌ DON’T: Swim alone
No matter how confident you are with your abilities — or if you’re wearing a floatation device like a life jacket — swimming alone means you won’t have eyes on you in case of an emergency. Even the best swimmers in a calm pool can suffer from a medical episode that leaves them incapacitated, for example. Ideally, swim with a buddy.
Out in the ocean, lake or community pool? Make sure a lifeguard is present. And if you’re at a beach or lake, always follow lifeguard instructions, such as where you should or shouldn’t swim.
✅ DO: Wear a bright bathing suit
It may sound silly, but a bright bathing suit will make you easier to spot — especially in a dark ocean. And if you’re struggling, you’ll want to be as visible as possible to any lifeguards who can come to your aid. (So, yes: one more reason to actually go for that yellow polka dot bikini.)
❌ DON’T: Assume you know what drowning looks like
In movies, people who are drowning scream and call for help. In the real world, drowning can look quite different: It can be quick and silent, with the person slipping underwater without drawing attention.
Dr. Sarah Denny, a pediatrician, American Academy of Pediatrics spokesperson and former lifeguard, previously told HuffPost that often, people who are in the midst of drowning are “just trying to get their mouth above the water,” meaning “they don’t have extra energy to wave or yell.”
“It’s very quiet and very quick,” she explained. “As a former lifeguard and having seen this happen, I can tell you that if you are not looking for it, it’s hard to necessarily notice.”
✅ DO: Learn CPR
CPR can save someone’s life after a water emergency. Both the American Red Cross and American Heart Association offer courses you can take, some of which are online.
❌ DON’T: Swim and drink alcohol
Alcohol impairs judgment, coordination and reaction times, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider previously told Yahoo. It impairs a person’s ability to “assess their swimming strength and the water’s depth and currents is impaired,” she explained.
While you may not jump in the water after your third margarita, you should be cognizant of drinking while boating or hanging out by a pool as well. If you fall into the water accidentally, you may be unable to swim to safety.
✅ DO: Be aware of rip currents
Even strong swimmers can be caught off guard by rip currents, which cause about 100 deaths in the U.S. each year. The powerful, fast-moving channels of water flow away from shore and can quickly pull swimmers out to sea.
Before swimming at the beach, check the local rip current forecast from the National Weather Service. Once there, look toward the water for signs like calm, darker gaps between waves, changes in water color, or foam and debris moving away from shore. See something? Stay on the shore.
If you’re caught in a rip current, stay calm. Swim parallel to the shore until you’re free of the current, then swim back in with the waves. If you see someone else in trouble, call for help and throw them a floatation device if possible. Don’t attempt a rescue them yourself, as the current could also draw you in: Instead, find a lifeguard, or call 9-1-1.
❌ DON’T: Dive into unknown waters
Diving headfirst into water you don’t know the depth of can spell disaster. Doing so could cause you to hit your head on the bottom, leading to a head or spinal cord injury and potentially paralyzation or even death. Always jump into water feet first, and only after you’re able to properly assess the depth.
✅ DO: Keep your home pool fenced in
While kids accidentally falling in is one reason to fence in your pool, anyone can stumble into a pool unintentionally. Keeping a fence around your pool ensures that you’ll only go into the water when you’ve properly planned to do so — which, again, means with a buddy and sober.
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