National Water Safety Month Highlights the Silent Dangers of Drowning

As summer approaches, the American Red Cross emphasizes the importance of constant supervision around water and adherence to simple safety measures that can save lives. May is recognized as National Water Safety Month, a time dedicated to educating families about the preventable nature of drowning—a leading cause of death among young children and individuals under 30.

While drowning is often portrayed dramatically in movies, the reality is starkly different. Victims usually drown silently, with little to no splashing or screaming, often occurring in less than a minute and even in just a few inches of water. This silent nature makes it crucial for those present to be vigilant and proactive.

Research indicates that more than 60% of drowning rescues are performed by bystanders rather than trained professionals. Quick responses from those nearby can often be the difference between life and death, as these individuals are usually closer to the incident when it occurs.

The Alarming Statistics:

Drowning ranks as one of the top causes of accidental death in children. However, Connie Harvey, Director of the Centennial Aquatics Campaign, stresses that such tragedies are preventable. She explains, “Drowning prevention begins with water safety education.” With studies showing that 72% of Hispanic individuals have never taken swimming lessons, many children lack the necessary skills to navigate water safely. Yet, it is crucial to remember that it is never too late to learn how to swim or understand responsible behaviors related to water.

To assist in this initiative, the American Red Cross provides free resources in Spanish for both children and adults, ensuring people of all ages can contribute to drowning prevention efforts.

Essential Water Safety Tips:

1. Never Swim Alone: Whether you are an adult, teenager, or child, never swim by yourself. Always keep an eye on young children and never leave them unsupervised around water. It’s vital not to rely on another child to watch over a young one.

2. Assign a “Water Watcher”: Designate a responsible adult as the “water watcher” who will focus solely on supervising children and weaker swimmers within and around the water until they are relieved.

3. Use Life Jackets: Ensure that young children and inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets that fit properly when near water, although they should not be the only means of safety.

4. Reach or Throw, Don’t Go: In case of an emergency, try to reach or throw something to the person in distress instead of jumping in yourself, as you may also end up in danger.

WHALE TALES Now Available in Spanish:

Recently, the Red Cross revamped its kids’ water safety program, Longfellow's WHALE Tales, which is now fully translated and culturally adapted for Spanish-speaking communities. This no-cost program teaches essential water safety behaviors to children from kindergarten to fifth grade, even without being in or near water. Parents, educators, and caregivers can easily integrate these engaging lessons into their summer activities.

WHALE Tales offers concise lessons appropriate for various age groups covering vital water safety topics across environments like pools, water parks, oceans, lakes, and rivers. The materials are available for free download, including lesson plans, course presentations, videos, and activity sheets, via CruzRojaAmericana.org/WHALE-tales-espanol. For parents teaching their own kids, further resources can be accessed at CruzRojaAmericana.org/seguridad-acuatica-infantil.

Building Community Partnerships:

The Centennial Aquatics Campaign, launched in 2014 to celebrate the Red Cross’s century-long leadership in swimming and water safety, operates in over 100 communities nationwide. This effort collaborates with local organizations to reduce drowning rates in areas significantly above the national average. To date, approximately 160,000 swimming classes have been conducted under this initiative, certifying over 6,560 teens, lifeguards, and water safety instructors. Nearly 24,000 parents and caregivers have gained vital water safety and CPR skills through these programs.

For more detailed information, visit redcross.org/centennialswim.

Start Today:

Families can visit CruzRojaAmericana.org/seguridadacuatica for comprehensive information on swimming programs and available resources. The Red Cross Swim App allows both children and adults to learn about safety through engaging videos and child-friendly activities on mobile devices. It’s time to take action and be smart around water!

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross provides shelter, food, and comfort to disaster victims, supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, teaches life-saving skills, distributes international humanitarian aid, and supports veterans and military families. This nonprofit organization relies on volunteers and the generosity of the public to accomplish its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org.