The USA Swimming Foundation and the American Red Cross have created a formal partnership in an effort to increase drowning prevention awareness and programs nationwide and expand support for American Red Cross learn-to-swim providers.
More than two million children have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Local Partner network, comprised of more than 600 qualified lesson providers across the nation. The American Red Cross is the largest aquatics training provider in the United States, certifying millions of Americans in lifeguarding and water safety skills annually.
“The Red Cross is synonymous with water safety and we are truly honored to be partnering with such a respected organization,” says USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse. “Together we will be able to provide more swim lessons and educational materials for our learn-to-swim providers making this one of the most important partnerships of the USA Swimming Foundation.”
As a benefit of the partnership, Red Cross-certified Make a Splash Local Partners will receive discounted water safety materials from the Red Cross Provider Store.
“Both organizations are committed to helping children and adults become competent in the water and to be able to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies,” says Connie Harvey, Director of the Red Cross Aquatics Centennial Initiative. “To mark our 100 years of swimming safety education we have launched a new water safety education and drowning prevention campaign to reach those who may not otherwise learn these lifesaving skills. Our partnership with the USA Swimming Foundation will extend our reach and strengthen our ability to offer more programs across the country.”
Sobering Drowning Statistics
Approximately 10 people drown every day in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with nearly 25 percent children younger than 14.
Furthermore, 70 percent of African-American and 60 percent of Hispanic/Latino children cannot swim, and only 13 percent of kids who come from a non-swimming household will ever learn to swim, according to a national research study by the USA Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis. African-American children drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their Caucasian peers, the CDC reports.
Drowning is also a silent killer—most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time, according to the Present P. Child Drowning study.
About the USA Swimming Foundation
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions— in the pool and in life. Whether we’re equipping our children with the life-saving skill of learn-to-swim through our Make a Splash initiative, or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to kids at all levels across the country. To learn more, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org .
Swimming News courtesy of USA Swimming.