A man has gone missing in Lake Pleasant after jumping into the water to fetch a wayward hat and authorities are currently scouring the lake for any signs of the diver. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office mounted a search operation once witnesses reported the man never resurfaced after his plunge. According to the witnesses, the man was not wearing a life vest at the time of the incident, Fox 10 Phoenix reports.

The search, which also involves Peoria Fire-Medical Department, has thus far failed to locate the swimmer. After the call was received shortly after 2 p.m. on Saturday, MCSO's Lake Patrol Unit was quick on the scene, but to no avail, the missing man remains unaccounted for. The Sheriff's Office has not yet publicized the identity of the man they are searching for. Prepared to dive, the Peoria Fire officials reported being unable to find the man, as noted by 12News.

The incident has brought to the fore the vital importance of water safety and the need for vigilance near bodies of water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified drowning as a leading cause of death for children aged 1-4, barring birth defects, with three children dying each day due to drowning.

As part of drowning prevention measures, the CDC recommends that everyone should learn basic swimming skills and CPR. Also, installing a four-sided isolation fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around backyard swimming pools could help curtail unsupervised access. Always watched closely, kids must be kept under adult supervision when in or near water to avoid tragic incidents. It is also advised that life jackets should be worn by kids when they are around natural water bodies such as lakes or oceans, even if they are competent swimmers. These tips and guidelines provided by the CDC echo the critical nature of constant vigilance and preparedness to prevent drowning and related accidents.