Press Release

For More Information Contact:

Shannon Smith, 860-550-4077

Shannon@theswimtrongfoundation.org

Nearly 140 Tragic Child Drownings In Pools and Spas Reported By Media In Summer 2012

Initial summer drowning figures are only part of the annual toll

Sept. 17^th, New York, NY - According to information compiled from media reports and released today by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) Pool Safely campaign, 137 children younger than 15 years drowned in a pool or spa during the traditional summer season of Memorial Day to Labor Day this year.  An additional 168 children of that age required emergency response for near-fatal incidents in pools or spas during that period.

“Drowning, for the most part, IS preventable.  That’s why learning water safety and swimming skills at an early age is so critical.  Swim Strong Foundation joins Pool Safely, as a local partner to raise awareness and  educate our communities about this life altering issue.  Swim Strong’s affordable swim programs  for ages 3 through adult give people the skills to be safe and healthy in the water, ”said Shawn Slevin, founder of Swim Strong Foundation.  The media figures for this summer show that 54 of these drownings occurred soon after the children left an adult who was in their immediate vicinity, and 31 children drowned despite the presence of others at the pool.

In addition, the media reports from this summer are consistent with CPSC’s annual reports in showing that young children and toddlers are especially vulnerable to drowning— at least 100 of the 137 children who drowned were younger than five. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children one to four years of age.

“These figures are a strong indication that child drownings are a serious public health problem,” CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum said. “We are losing too many children to drowning, tragically cutting short these young lives and leaving families devastated. While summer is ending, our vigilance in ensuring that all children pool safely must not end. With so many indoor community pools, hotel pools and spas, indoor waterparks, as well as outdoor pools that remain open in warm-weather states, we must continue our efforts to remind everyone to pool safely whenever they are near the water.”

Not every child drowning is reported on or tracked by the media. In turn, it takes time for CPSC to compile data of all child drownings from around the country. Each May, CPSC releases reports for drownings and non-fatal submersion for children younger than 15 years of age. CPSC data from 2007 to 2009 shows an annual average of 243 children drowned in pools or spas during the summer months, which is about 63 percent of the average annual drowning figures for these years. 

CPSC’s Pool Safely campaign message reinforces the important safety steps: stay close to children in the water, be alert, and watch children in and around the pool at all times. During the summer of 2012, the following twelve states suffered the largest number of pool and spa drownings for children younger than 15:

1. Texas (17)                                                           7.  Florida (6)     
2. California (10)                                                    8.  Illinois (6) 
3. Ohio (9)                                                                9.  North Carolina (6)
4. Arizona (8)                                                          10. Alabama (5)
5. Michigan (8)                                                       11. Georgia (5)
6. Pennsylvania (7)                                               12. New York (5)

CPSC’s 2012 submersion report shows on average 390 pool or spa-related drownings occur each year for children younger than 15, based on statistics from 2007-2009. About 5,200 pool or spa-related emergency department-treated submersion injuries occur on average each year for children younger than 15.

The Pool Safely campaign provides information on the simple steps that parents, caregivers and pool owners should take to ensure that children and adults stay safe around pools and spas:

• Stay close, be alert and watch children in and around the pool. Never leave children unattended in a pool or spa; always watch children closely around all bodies of water; teach children basic water safety tips; and keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings.
• Learn and practice water safety skills. Every family member should know how to swim. Learn how to perform CPR on both children and adults.
• Have appropriate equipment for your pool or spa. This includes pool fencing, a lockable safety cover for spas, proper drain covers to avoid entrapment, and lifesaving equipment such as life rings and a reaching pole.

The Pool Safely campaign was launched in 2010 to raise awareness about pool and spa safety, as mandated by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. This year, the campaign is increasing its focus on populations most at risk of drowning, including children younger than five years old who represent 75 percent of child drowning fatalities on average, and African American and Hispanic children between the ages of 5 and 14 who drown at higher rates than white children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from USA Swimming indicates that 70 percent of African American children and 62 percent of Hispanic children cannot swim, making them especially vulnerable to drowning.

About Swim Strong Foundation:

Swim Strong Foundation is a ,NPF with a mission to save and change lives through the great sport of swimming.  We provide affordable swim programs to families at a low to no cost thanks to our volunteer instructors and the financial support of Queens Borough President Helen Marshall; Council Members Peter Koo, James Sanders and Elizabeth Crowley and the NYC Harbor Conservancy.   www.theSwimStrongFoundation.org

About Pool Safely:

The Pool Safely campaign is CPSC’s national public education and information program to reduce child drownings, near-drowning and entrapment incidents in swimming pools and spas. The campaign resulted from the requirements of Section 1407 of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act), federal legislation signed into law in 2007, which mandated new requirements for pool and spa safety. Parents, caregivers and the media are encouraged to visit PoolSafely.gov or @PoolSafely on Twitter for vital safety information regarding the prevention of child submersions in and around pools and spas.

# # #

What drowning can look like & How to prevent it

Health: What Drowning Can Look Like & How To Prevent It

By Stephanie Stahl
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Drownings happen every day, often in front of people, who don’t realize what’s happening, until it’s too late. 3 On Your Side Health Reporter Stephanie Stahl has more on what to watch out for.

A dip in the ocean or pool can turn deadly quickly. Ten people are killed every day in accidental drowning. Experts say part of the problem is people don’t know what to look for.
Lifeguard Jackie Navarre says she always methodically scans the entire pool.
“Somebody could have slipped right down and you might not have seen it, and no one else might have,” said Jackie.

Experts say it’s not just children who don’t know how to swim. Water can be deadly for anyone.
“Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death among Americans, said Jennifer Caudle, a family medicine doctor in Sewell. She says it can happen in seconds.
“Drowning can come in many different forms, and there’s no one way that someone drowns. This is why water safety is so important,” said Dr. Caudle.

Jackie says people have the misconception drowning looks a certain way. Actually, there’s often no drama. Jackie demonstrated. Her head bobs slowly up and down. Her mouth is above water, then below. Her arms to the side, pushing down to try to lift up out of the water. It’s the instinctive drowning response, most dangerous for children.

“Especially when they’re little, there’s no sound, it happens in a second, and very quiet, nice and silent,” said Jackie.

Wendy Roberts, a mother of three, has made sure all her children get swimming lessons. It’s the best way to guard against drowning.

Doctors say if you’re in trouble while swimming, try not to panic, instead tread water or float. If in the ocean, swim across the current, and towards shallow water.

The American College of Emergency Physicians has a new warning, that includes more recommendations to prevent drowning: Related Link.

Holiday & Seasonal

Fun in the Water Can Quickly Turn Deadly

Drowning is the Fifth Leading Cause of Unintentional Injury Death in the United States

As temperatures continue to stay high this summer, more people head to beaches, pools, lakes and out on boats. The nation’s emergency physicians want everyone to get all the facts regarding unintentional drowning before you end up in the emergency department, or worse.

Every day, about 10 people die from unintentional drowning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It ranks as the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States.

“Fun in the water can turn deadly in only a matter of seconds and it can happen to anyone,” said Dr. David Seaberg, of the American College of Emergency Physicians. “While it’s impossible to predict and prevent every scenario, you can take steps to stay safe while still enjoying yourself.”

Several factors can contribute to a person drowning and obviously not all of them can be controlled. However, steps can be taken to keep a child and even an adult as safe as possible when near or in the water.

• Supervise Young Children — They must be watched at all times when near water. It can take only a matter of seconds for a child to accidentally drown when an adult turns away.
• .Learn to Swim — Formal swim lessons can protect people, especially young children from drowning.
• Learn CPR — It can take paramedics several minutes to arrive. Having CPR skills often times can mean the difference between life and death or permanent brain damage.
• The Buddy System — Swim in areas that have lifeguards on duty if possible. Always swim with a buddy.
• Avoid Alcohol — Drinking alcohol while on a boat or swimming in the water can severely impair a person’s judgment. Never consume alcohol while supervising children.
• Use Life Jackets — When on a boat, make sure the number of (Coast Guard approved) life jackets matches the number of passengers and that they are easily accessible. Young children should have a life vest on at all times when on a boat, or in the water. According to the CDC, potentially half of all boating deaths might be prevented with the use of life jackets.
• Air-filled or Foam Toys Not Safety Devices — These toys are not substitutes for life jackets and are not designed to keep swimmers safe.
• Knowing Weather Conditions — If strong winds or heavy thunderstorms and lightning roll in, get out of the water and seek shelter immediately.
• Waves and Rip Currents — If on the beach, watch for dangerous waves and rip currents. If caught in a rip current, swim parallel to shore. Once free of the current, swim toward the shore.

“Emergency physicians sadly see plenty of drowning or near drowning cases that never should have happened in the first place,” said Dr. Seaberg. “Have fun this summer, but use common sense, stay alert, know your surroundings and use simple precautions.”

Facts about Drowning:

• More than 3,500 people died between 2005 and 2009 from unintentional drowning, according to the CDC.
• Around 350 additional people die each year from drowning in boating-related incidents.
• More than half of drowning victims treated in the ER need further treatment.
• Nonfatal drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage.
• Nearly 80 percent of people who die from drowning are male.
• Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rate – with most of those drowning incidents occurring in home swimming pools.

Press Release

For more information contact: Shannon Smith, 860-550-4077
Shannon@theswimstrongfoundation.org

Swim Strong Foundation Celebrates Pool Safety Week

Swim Strong is delighted to share that we area recognized partner in the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s“Pool Safely” campaign. So proud of our team member Storm and all of his accomplishments to date! 

July 19^h, 2012, New York, NY— The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announces its “Pool Safely” campaign in conjunction with Pool Safety Week.  Swim Strong Foundation is joining efforts to encourage water safety and pool safety locally through its swim programs in Queens and Brooklyn.  http://www.poolsafely.gov/partner-organizations/meet-our-partners/

According to The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s latest findings released earlier this summer, drowning is the #1 cause of death for children 1-4.  It is the 2^Nd leading cause of death in all youth under 14.  Minority children 5-14 are three times more likely to die from drowning than Caucasian children.  Meet Storm http://www.poolsafely.gov/share-your-stories/

Swim Strong Foundation wants to do something about this. For the most part drowning IS preventable. All year long they provide low cost swim programs to NYC youth that teach swimming skills and water safety in an effort to eradicate drowning.  This week, parents have been invited to get in the pool with their children for special, pool safety workshops. 

If you or your child is not currently involved in a swim program, there are still steps they can take to make sure they practice pool safety:

          • Stay within an arm’s reach of your children at all times in and around the pool

            • Never swim without a lifeguard. 

            • Assign a “Water Watcher

           • Never swim alone

            • Take swim lessons at any age before regularly using a pool

            • Learn CPR

            • Don’t mix alcohol with swimming and pools

            • Know the depth of the water and don’t swim in deep water if you’re a beginner

Join the celebration by following these tips during Pool Safety Week and all summer.  If you would like to sign up for swim lessons please contact Shawn Slevin at shawn.slevin@theswimstrongfoundation.org.  Swim Strong and Pool Safely. 

And to promote awareness, I am happy to invite adult family members of CURRENT program members , who do not swim, into the pool with us for a 30 minute Introduction to the water this Saturday at both FMP and FRHS. You will need flip flops/pool shoes/or bare feet, your suit cap and goggles and towel.

At FMP, it will be during the 8-9 time frame. (Remember at FMP that you can’t use the lockers…bring your bag out with you onto the deck) At FRHS, we need to be a bit flexible as it could be somewhere in the 11:30-12:30 timeframe.

Pls do respond to me as to who wants to GET Wet and celebrate Pool Safety Week with us

Coach Shawn

more than just hair

 More Than Just Hair

It is believed that the straighter the hair, the prettier the women.  So, what about the rest of us?  Many African Americans have been trying to adapt the European idea of beauty, rather than establishing their own.  Rejecting and renovating something that needed no correction.  From Madam CJ Walker who invented the hot comb to Garret A. Morgan who invented the hair relaxer, history has continuously supported this unnatural transformation, further deteriorating the beauty of natural hair. 

Today natural hair is shunned upon, and many are faced with professional and personal generalizations because of it.  This fear of possible rejection causes many women to endure extreme measures to keep hair “beautiful and acceptable”.  Even if these decisions keep them from experiencing some of life’s greatest pleasures. Many of these decisions create a barrier in their children’s life, a life that does not include interaction with water.   In a recent survey done by national diversity specialist for USA Swimming, parents were a key influence on their children's swimming habits. These habits are infused by a mix of fear of water and money wasted to maintain the “beautiful and acceptable” hair during and between swim sessions.  If society‘s opinions were put aside and natural hair was embraced, many more African Americans could fully experience the many pleasures that life has to offer that involved water. But instead this fear of the water is passed from one generation to another.  At least 65% of parents with non-swimming children couldn't swim themselves. Proving that this connotation placed on natural hair is putting children and adults at high risk.

So, where should the line be drawn?  Is being seen as “beautiful and acceptable” at all times more important than you and your child’s well being. I believe not.   No barrier, biases, or challenges should be great enough to prevent anyone from enjoying the life saving and changing benefits of swimming. Embracing our own definition of beauty, would open a world of unseen opportunities for many African Americans. Breaking down cultural barriers could be as simple as wearing an alternate hairdo during the summer.  The stylists I spoke provide a few recommendations to keep hair healthy and manageable while enjoying the water:

·         Wear hair Natural or Braided

·         Wear swimming cap

·          Moisturize hair before and after swimming

·         Limit use of Heat

At Swim Strong Foundation our goal is for EVERYONE to learn how to swim.   We are bringing down the barriers of access, price and cultural challenges. Isn’t it time for YOU to get wet and learn to SWIM STRONG?!?

The Swim Strong Mission:

Saving & Changing Lives

Eat Right? Eat Light?

Eating Right? Eating Light?

Summer time is here and temptation is near.  From constant cookout concoctions or the heightened convenience of fast food, we are all faced with the decision of Eating light or Eating Right?  Many have trouble understanding that the key to a healthy summer is finding a reasonable balance between the two. 

You do not want to get stuck in a routine that limits your summer from being enjoyable and exciting, but you also need to avoid a summer filled with instinct driven indulgences that leaves you with the after taste of guilt.

A healthy and realistic initiative to apply to your summer lifestyle is retain as much nutrients as possible while taking in the smallest amount amount of calories along the way.  This may sound more complicated than it truly is, but it can be simply achieved.  Instilling the discipline of eating well balanced and properly proportioned meals can take you a long way.  It may sound elementary, but having and maintaining the proper amounts of meats, fruits, vegetables, whole gains, and dairy products will help lead to a virtually stress free summer.

            Summer Simplicity:

·         Listen to your body. Do not over Eat.

·         Embrace Grilled and Baked foods

·         Indulge in fresh Fruits and Vegetables

·         Quantity & Quality are equally important. Eat smaller portions, more frequently, and well balanced meals  

·         Stay away from added Sugar

·         Drink water before and after meals

·         Seeds, Beans and Nuts are a good thing.

The most important thing to remember is that food is here for you to enjoy, but understand the difference from enjoying and over indulging.  Too much of anything in life, is never a good thing, food is no exception. 

  

Any questions, Please contact me at Mariah.Williams09@stjohns.edu