Water Safety Week brings focus to drowning risk
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As Memorial Day weekend ushers in the unofficial start of summer, many residents in the Richmond area will be heading to pools and waterways to cool off. But with the fun comes a critical reminder about water safety, especially during National Water Safety Week.
A local non-profit, SwimRVA, is using this observance to highlight the life-saving importance of knowing how to swim and ensuring people in the community are confident in the water.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is identified as the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages one through four, and the second leading cause for children under the age of 14.
SwimRVA's core mission is to "drown-proof the Richmond region."
Since 2012, their flagship "Learn-to-Swim" program has been instrumental in this effort, providing free 45-minute sessions to second-grade classrooms for seven-week periods.
To date, the initiative has taught nearly 20,000 elementary school students, serving over 2,000 kids every school year.
"We want to get kids access to water, access to programming, access to learn the necessary life-saving skills of learning how to swim," said Scott Bennett, SwimRVA Director of Communications. "Not only does this teach them how to be water safe, but it also gives them the tools to stay active, healthy, and fit for the rest of their life."
Bennett emphasizes that water safety is a shared responsibility, offering several key tips for the public.
"Always swim when there's a lifeguard present. That is key. Or they can have somebody that's watching over you and your family," he said. "Swim with a buddy. Take a friend with you."
For those venturing into open water like lakes or rivers, wearing a life vest is crucial.
"If you're going out in the water, in the boat, in the lakes, the rivers, try to wear that flotation device to keep you safe," Bennett said.
Even without formal lessons, engaging with children in the water can be beneficial.
"If you don't have those opportunities, have swim lessons, get in the water, and be active with your kids so they can understand buoyancy," he said. "They can understand what it feels like to be in the water."
In an emergency, Bennett stresses that drowning happens very quickly. The immediate action is to alert everyone, especially any lifeguards on duty.
However, if you don’t know how to swim, then don’t jump in. Instead, try to get the person a flotation device.
SwimRVA's reach extends across the greater Richmond region, partnering with localities from Hanover to Petersburg, and Hopewell to the City of Richmond.
Beyond the "Learn-to-Swim" initiative, the organization offers a wide array of programs, including swim lessons for all ages, exercise classes, and lifeguard training, all housed at their state-of-the-art facility in Chesterfield.
The facility features a 50-meter pool originally constructed for the 2008 Olympic Trials.
