How A Turtle Saved A Puppy
Safety Turtles Warn When Kids Fall Into Pools
Dog Owners Are Adapting Them For Canine Pals
Reporting
Joan Murray POMPANO BEACH (CBS4) ― Pets are living longer thanks to better medical care and better nutrition, and that means many homes have geriatric pets who, like humans, suffer the infirmities of old age. Now a new device might help your pooch from not drowning.

Barbara and Mike Halprin care for a 17-year-old Pomeranian at their Pompano Beach home. When she was younger, Sheba had no problem navigating the water surrounding their home, but those days are gone forever.

"She's been deteriorating going through a number off health problems like any person," Sheila Halprin told CBS4's Joan Murray.

"Several times she's fallen in by misstep, into the water."

It happens to kids as well as dogs, which is why companies have developed something they call a 'Safety Turtle'--a device a child can wear which sets off an alarm if it comes into contact with water.

Halprin's daughter purchased a pair for her parents as a Christmas present. The Turtles can be adapted for pet use, and one went on Sheba, while the other went on the family's 6 month old puppy. A Velcro strap attaches the Safety Turtle to your pet's collar.

Suddenly, they were shocked by the sound of the alarm.

"All of a sudden the alarm goes off, and we thought it must be a false alarm," said Mike Halprin.

It was not. They dashed out to the pool, and found Sheba trapped in the pool's filter drain. Somehow, the little dog had slipped out the dog door and fallen into the pool.

The daughter jumped in, grabbed the puppy, and the old dog and tragedy was averted.

"The tragedy of her drowning on Christmas would have ruined Christmas," Halprin said

The couple believes the Turtles averted a tragedy, and they're sold on the devices for pets as well as for kids, or anyone who might be at risk around water.
 

Dear Terrapin (Bob),
 
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your product for it saved my 17 year-old dog’s life on Christmas day.
 
My daughter came to our house for Christmas dinner and present opening etc. She arrived around 6 pm and since dinner was not quite ready I suggested we open presents first then eat. Everyone agreed. Our daughter 's present to us was a Safety Turtle with two extra velcro attachments for our dogs’ collars.
 
We thought this was a very good present since our older dog had developed cataracts on both of her eyes and gradually went blind. [Before her operation she fell into our pool several times and each time we were lucky enough to have been there to pull her out.] Three months ago she underwent cataract surgery and regained her sight. Our daughter still thought Safety Turtle would make a good present and we agreed. Fortunately, we immediately attached the turtles to our dogs’ collars. We then proceeded to eat a very good Christmas dinner and then started to relax.
 
 It was around 8pm (2 hours after installing the turtles). All or a sudden the Safety Turtle alarm sounded and everyone headed for the back yard where we have a pool and a canal. Low and behold our poor little 17-year old Pomeranian was struggling to barely stay afloat. Our daughter jumped in and saved our little Sheeba from a certain death. Our three dogs and one cat use our dog door to reach the backyard to relieve themselves which happens to be right next to the pool. It was very dark that night and I guess poor Sheeba didn't see the pool and fell in.
 
All I know is that had we not received the Safety Turtle that night and had I not Installed the  turtles on them right away Sheeba would not be with us today. Again thank you for a very fantastic product!!
 
Yours truly,
 
Mike,  Pompano Beach

 

A true miracle", Knysna, South Africa  read more. . .

January 25, 2006

Just wanted to drop you a line and tell you an amazing story about your safety turtle.

My husband was talking to friends about our son's drowning and they said they had no net on their pool.  Right away my husband told them to get the Safety Turtle!

They picked one up and last Saturday we had a birthday party for my 2 year old son and our friends' little son (also 2) was running around with his safety turtle wristband on as his parents were trying to get him used to it.

Last night his father phoned my husband near tears saying their son had fallen in the pool and was wearing the safety turtle wristband so the alarm went off and his grandfather found him at the bottom of the pool...he dove in and saved him and the boy is now fine.  A true miracle.

Anyway, I thought you would like to hear the story and know that the product you promote is saving lives.

Kindest regards,

Jennifer van der Wath
Knysna, South Africa



Diving Canada coach endorses Safety Turtle  read more. . .

March 12, 2006

Ottawa, ON   excerpt from CTV Newsnet feature

"I have a young child who is under two years old, and an older child who now swims. I've been around water a lot, but only installed a backyard pool last summer. I was in the pool with three adults when my little guy went in. Nobody noticed until I looked around and said: 'Where's Mickey.' I ran over and pulled him out. But there is not a sound ... there is no indication at all. And we had three adults in the pool ... all thinking that we were watching him. So right away we said we need something. We got on the Internet and lo and behold there was Safety Turtle just around the corner in Kanata. So, I didn't waste any time, I headed right over and picked one up. Now we can go in the water with some level of confidence, we enjoy the pool 100 % more."

Mitch Geller
Chief Technical Officer
Diving Plongeon Canada
 

Hi Turtle People,

I purchased the Safety Turtle system a couple of years ago and am very satisfied with your product. It has actually saved a child's life in my pool.

After receiving our system a couple of days previously we were having friends over for dinner. One of our guests brought his twin six year old sons with him. When I found out the boys couldn't swim we placed the turtle bands around their wrists. Along with our six year old son (who is an excellent swimmer), they went outside to play. Less than 30 seconds later the alarm went off! I thought it was malfunctioning, but when I looked outside there was a child floundering in the deep end our pool. We were able to get him out before he even inhaled a single drop of water! We firmly believe your product enabled us to save his life.

Now, I not only have it for children but I also have one on my little poodle. After having lost one dog to drowning, I don't let my dog out without his Turtle on his collar.

Thanks for such a great product. I give it my highest recommendation to anyone who lives anywhere near water.

Stephanie
Baton Rouge, LA.

Dear Terrapin,

A week ago Saturday I purchased a Safety Turtle to use as a "pet overboard" alarm in sea water. Unaware beforehand of the salt water limitations on product use, I called the company for clarification. One of the folks at Terrapin was kind enough to call me back on a Sunday and reassured me it was okay with the Turtle on the top of a pet's collar.

I was awakened at 4:30 am the following Saturday by the alarm going off. I figured it was a false alarm caused by my cat, Oly, getting his turtle into his water bowl. I couldn't find him, but I kept looking because the alarm continued to sound. I walked out to the back of the boat and heard a pitiful cry. He had fallen from the upper deck, then managed to paddle to the back and was hanging on to a structural member underneath the swim step. I got into the water to rescue him. There's no question I would have slept until 9:00 am, and with forty degree water, I'm sure we would have lost him to hypothermia. My cat and I are most grateful. Your product works beautifully.

John

Tacoma, Washington