What Does Stop Drowning Now Teach?

Water Safety education is essential. Statistics continue to indicate that drowning is still the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 in Florida. Ocaquatics not only teaches swimming, but we also teach your child and family to be SAFER around the water.

One way that we achieve this, is by supporting and promoting the Stop Drowning Now (SDN). SDN is a non-profit founded in 2004 that save lives through drowning prevention education by helping children learn about drowning risks before they ever get to a pool or the ocean. They believe that public awareness and education focused on young children is the most powerful tool to prevent fatal and non-fatal drowning.

Their amazing curriculum teaches children and families to:

• Recognize the risks around the pool, ocean, lakes etc.

• Develop skills and knowledge to protect themselves and their loved ones

• Know how to respond in an emergency

• Help each person appreciate and understand: “What are my risks?” “Where are my risks?” “How do I keep myself and my family safe?” “What do we do if everything fails and there is an emergency?”

Ocaquatics has adopted Stop Drowning Now’s message and program of the SAFER 3. The main concept of the SAFER 3 is based on the definition of the word "Safe." Safe means that you are free from risk or danger which is never true when it comes to water safety. The letter "R" in the word SAFER reminds us that there is always risk when in, on or around water. You can protect your family by following the SAFER 3:

Safer Water: Learn how to identify and reduce risks associated where you swim. It is important that you; install barriers around pools, alarms, seek lifeguard-monitored beaches, etc.

Safer People: Reduce risk for every swimmer. Keep this in mind “Not even Michael Phelps is immune from drowning.” There must be constant, undistracted and alert adult supervision: no alcohol, phones or reading, acquire rescue and swimming skills and follow water safety rules and never ever swim alone.

Safer Response: Do you know what to do in case of an emergency? Reduce risk by learning what to do if anyone ever needed help around the water. Learn CPR, have an emergency action plan, keep a charged and working phone nearby.

Ocaquatics will continue to support water safety education in the community. To learn more about this important message please visit Stop Drowning Now.