‘PARTNERING WITH THE NDPA’
With summer here, it is important to keep water safety at the forefront of your mind and to share that with your clients. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) has launched the #FirstSport campaign, which emphasizes the importance of swimming as the first sport that a child should learn. In conjunction with this campaign, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson (WLSL) event is happening on June 20, 2024. This is a global event that highlights the critical importance of teaching children how to swim.
The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson: A Global Event The WLSL is an annual event that gathers participants from around the world to engage in a simultaneous swimming lesson. This initiative, aimed at raising awareness about water safety, holds the record for the largest simultaneous swimming lesson conducted worldwide. This event is not just a remarkable feat of organization and participation, but a powerful statement on the necessity of swimming education and water safety.
Each year, tens of thousands of children and adults come together at pools, waterparks, and aquatic facilities across the globe to learn basic swimming skills and water safety practices. The goal is clear: to reduce drowning incidents by equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to be safer in and around the water. The event serves as a vivid reminder that swimming is not just a recreational activity but a crucial life-saving skill.
NDPA’s #FirstSport Campaign: Swimming as a Lifesaving Skill NDPA’s l a t e s t campaign underscores the message that swimming should be the first sport children learn. This campaign is grounded in the belief that swimming instruction is a vital layer of protection against drowning. Teaching children to swim as early as age 1 is important in teaching a range of skills including floating and being able to swim to safety. You can find additional information on this campaign to share with your clients here.
Water competency goes beyond basic swimming skills; it involves understanding water hazards, knowing how to prevent water-related accidents, and having the confidence to handle unexpected situations. By advocating for swimming as the foundational sport, NDPA aims to integrate water safety into the broader conversation about childhood sports and physical education.
Layers of Protection: The Role of Water Competency The concept of layers of protection is central to drowning prevention strategies. It involves implementing multiple safety measures to reduce the risk of drowning. Water competency is a key layer of protection, alongside the others of barriers and alarms, supervision, life jackets, and emergency preparation.
Encouraging children to learn to swim is a proactive step toward building this layer of protection. Swimming lessons equip children with essential lifesaving skills and foster a respect for water safety. Share the importance of swimming lessons early with your clients.
Promoting Safety Among Clients Being in the professional pool service industry, you have an opportunity to share water safety messages with your clients. Promoting water safety is not just a professional responsibility but a community service. Encouraging clients to prioritize swimming lessons for their children can make a significant difference in preventing drowning incidents. Find free resources from NDPA to share with your clients in the Aquatic & Pool Professional NDPA
From page 19
Toolkit. Here are a few easy ways to integrate water safety messaging into your interactions with clients: 1.Educate and Inform: Share information about the importance of swimming as a lifesaving skill and the benefits of early swimming education. Use posters, newsletters, and social media posts to spread awareness.
2. Partner with Local Swim Lesson Providers: Collaborate with your local aquatic facilities to offer special promotions or discounts on swimming lessons.
3. Highlight Safety Programs: Promote participation in events like the WLSL. Highlighting these initiatives can encourage more families to get involved and take water safety seriously.
4. Lead by Example: Ensure that your staff is practicing the 5 layers of protection. Displaying a commitment to safety can inspire clients to follow.
By advocating for swimming as the first sport and emphasizing water competency, you can help keep your clients and communities safer in and around water. Let’s all work together to keep safety in the forefront and ensure that every child learns this invaluable skill.
