The annual World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ event, coordinated by the World
Waterpark Association, brings together leading water safety and training
organizations with waterparks, aquatic centers, YMCAs and swim schools around
the world to send one focused message – Swimming Lessons Save Lives™.
Hundreds of swim instructors in 14 countries and 42 states across the U.S.
are kicking off the official start of summer by teaching tens of thousands of
kids vital water safety skills to raise awareness and help prevent childhood
drowning.
Research released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 2021 shows
drowning has become the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4. And,
drowning remains the second leading cause of unintended injury related death
for kids 4-14 and the third for adolescents ages 15-17. Per the World Health
Organization, drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional
injury-related death, accounting for 7 percent of all injury-related deaths
worldwide. The issue is truly a matter of life and death for kids and families
in every community around the globe.
Research from the AAP also shows participation in formal swimming lessons
can reduce the risk of drowning for kids ages 1-4 by 88%. Current lifeguard and
swim instructor shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic can make finding
swimming lessons a challenge. Parents can find local WLSL Host Locations in
their community at WLSL.org. TEAM WLSLTM urges parents and
caregivers to take the time to find and enroll their kids in formal swim
lessons and to back that training up with constant adult supervision whenever
kids are in or near the water.
BACKGROUND
- The problem is real:
According to the CDC, every year (from 2010-2019) in the United States
there are an estimated 3,960 fatal unintentional drownings, including
boating-related drowning—that is an average of 11 drowning deaths per day.
Drowning is an even greater threat in other countries around the world.
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 236,000 people
died from drowning in 2019, making drowning a major public health problem
worldwide
- Many lack basic swimming skills: According to a 2020 research study by the American Red
Cross, more than half (54%) of kids ages 4-17 cannot perform the basic
water safety skills they need to save their life.
- Parental supervision is key: According to a 2016 Safe Kids Worldwide report,
despite the fact that lack of supervision played a role in the majority of
drowning deaths, less than half of parents (49 percent) indicate they
remain within arms' reach of their child in the water.
- Males are at the most risk: According to the CDC, nearly 80% of people who die from
drowning are male.
About The World's Largest Swimming Lesson™
The World's Largest Swimming Lesson™ is celebrating its 13th
year of raising awareness about the critical importance of teaching kids AND
parents to Be Water Aware™ to prevent drowning. The WLSL event, first
launched in 2010, serves as a platform to use one voice to send the clear and
united message, Swimming Lessons Save Lives™. Since its inception, more
than 332,000 children and adults have participated in lifesaving WLSL lessons,
generating more than two billion media impressions about the vital importance
of learning to swim. Learn more about this phenomenal program by visiting www.WLSL.org.
Find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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