WSET.com - ABC13Diving Into Fear by Lauren Compton

My heart is pumping, adrenaline is kicking in, and I'm fighting with all my might. With each wave I am growing more and more tired. But, even with all my effort, the water is just too powerful. This is what it felt like when I almost drown as a child playing at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. I thought to myself if my drowning makes the news I hope they use a good picture of me, and say something great about my character. Maybe that was a bit of foreshadowing to my interest in the news business. Thankfully a passerby dove in to save me. I never got his name, and I don't remember what he looked like. When I recall the event I imagine a David  Hasseloff look-like jumping after me.

The experience of almost drowning paralyzed me. Even though I grew up in Hampton Roads, after that day at the beach I had no desire to ever get in the ocean or the deep end again. Every time I would try to venture in the deep end I would panic and remember how close I came to drowning.

Last month I came face-to-face with my fear working on a special report called "Turning the Tide" about drowning rates in the black community. Facing the statistic that 70 percent of African Americans have little or no swimming ability I decided it was time to conquer my fear. With help from the 'Y' in Lynchburg, I learned how to swim. While I'm not a strong swimmer I have gotten over my fear of the deep end. Now I can say I kind of like swimming now.

The day my story aired about my journey of learning to swim I was so incredibly nervous. I knew that the story would show viewers my fear, and my vulnerability. And to top that off I planned on diving in the pool on live television to show my swimming skills. I have to tell you that moment was so incredibly liberating. Definitely one of the best moments in my television career so far. For me it was a big moment, and days later I realized it was powerful for others as well.

The next day calls poured into our newsroom from parents eager to sign their kids up in swim programs, to viewers lending me their support. People stopped me in the street to applaud my swimming efforts, or to give me a pat on the back.

This story was a labor of love, and from the bottom of my heart I appreciate all of the compliments on the story. And, I can assure you I plan to keep on swimming.

I've received a lot of inquires about the Lynchburg Swim Initiative at the Downtown Y. This program partners with Lynchburg City School to give free swimming lessons to families who otherwise would not be able to afford them. It's usually done during the school year, and parents must sign their kids for them to participate. Not all YMCA's carry a program like this. But, most YMCA's offer financial assistance for swim programs or memberships. There is some paperwork involved in getting financial assistance. Call your local Y for information.

I encourage all of you out there who are fearful of the deep end, to take lessons. It's not just for recreation, knowing how to swim could save your life.

• Turning the Tide: Part 1
• Turning the Tide: Part 2