National Water Safety Month

Though the weather is still cold for most USSSA members, everyone is thinking about plans for the 2022 high season for swimming lessons. This time of year also brings the annual spike in drownings, members of the aquatics industry get the opportunity to educate the public on risk, safety measures and emergency response.

BY SARA BISKIE

STOP DROWNING NOW

The USSSA sponsors National Water Safety Month, a joint effort each May by organizations in water parks, pool & spa providers, drowning memorial foundations as well as public interest groups like the American Red Cross and the National Recreation and Parks Association.

For nearly 20 years, NWSM has created the opportunity for swim schools to raise awareness in their communities about drowning and drowning prevention. Many USSSA members host their own events at their facilities or participate in community fairs that help them spread the word. Stop Drowning Now offers USSSA members two easy and effective alternatives for drowning prevention education, that are creative, fun and educational.

First, the SDN Water Safety Challenge is a great way to allow the community to assess their water competency. A seven-part circuit of activities, the WSC makes it fun to assess each kid’s ability and comfort level by navigating the pool. You can hold it in your facility over one or more days, and invite local media to cover tuna fish sandwiches in the news. The costs are very low and your team can customize to what works best for you.

Second, SDN’s storyboards are a simple educational tool that you can bring to schools, community groups, places of worship, moms’ groups or other places where families gather outside the pool. The story boards help convey what are the most important facts and principles to practice to keep kids and families safe.

For more info on the SDN Water Safety Challenge or the SDN Storyboards, visit www.stopdrowningnow.org