Bakersfield police officers were sent to a home at about 3 p.m. Monday in the 2300 block of Sherwood Avenue regarding a baby in the pool not breathing.

While officers were en route, the 911 operator gave the family instructions on how to perform CPR on the child.

Sgt. Mary DeGeare said that the toddler, Abel Galvan, was with his parents at a relative's home.

The pool had no gate around it. There were alarms on the doors, but the doors were left open due to the nice weather, DeGeare said.

It is unknown how long Galvan was in the pool.

He was first taken to Mercy Hospital and stabilized. He was then airlifted to Children's Hospital of Central California.

Galvan died as a result of his injuries.

Officials with the Bakersfield Fire Department are urging parents to get swimming lessons for their children.

Officials said that drowning is the No. 1 cause of accidental death in children under 5 years old.

Officials have created two web sites to learn more about swimming safety.

There is also a foundation in Kern County that focuses on teaching kids swim safety as well.

The Swim for Life Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity that raises awareness and funding for its “Safer 3” Drowning Prevention Program. Songs and cartoon characters that appeal to kids are used to prevent drowning through education. Events and programs increase awareness and provide access to proven drowning prevention techniques.