YMCA of South Palm Beach County’s Post

🏊♀️Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 AND it is preventable. Children who receive swim lessons are 88% less likely to drown. This week I learned more from the people and organizations leading the state in water safety (including the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, The Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, and The Greater Waterbury YMCA) about the impact of swim lessons in preventing drownings. It’s inspiring to see these #Connecticut partners come together to raise awareness on such a critical issue. 📊In underserved communities, 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have no or low swimming ability. Drowning death rates for Black children ages 10-14 are over 7 times higher than White children. Additionally, 64% of Black, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children cannot swim. 🚫💲Free swim lessons for children can make a significant difference in preventing tragedies. Programs across Connecticut have provided nearly 5,000 lessons to over 4,000 children, aiming to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn this life-saving skill. Essential Water Safety Tips: 🔵 Always watch your children. Drowning is quick and silent. Stay within arm’s reach. 🔵 Drink responsibly. Swim sober. 🔵 Swim in designated areas and always with a buddy. 🔵 Know your limits and be aware of underwater hazards. 🔵 Use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for children and inexperienced swimmers. Get involved, learn more, and ensure that EVERY child can safely enjoy the water this summer. Stay safe and make a splash responsibly! #WaterSafety #SwimLessons #SafeSwimming #EquityInSafety #DEI

🌊 World Drowning Prevention Day: Safety First 🌊 Drowning is a preventable tragedy that claims thousands of lives each year. Today, we raise awareness and promote measures to prevent these incidents. A startling fact: Drowning is among the top 10 causes of death for children and young people in every region of the world. This highlights the critical need for effective prevention strategies. Education is paramount - teaching water safety skills from a young age can save lives. Constant supervision around water bodies is essential, especially for children. Improving infrastructure, such as providing safe swimming areas and lifeguard services, also plays a crucial role. Together, we can create safer environments and save lives. Let's prioritise water safety and spread the word. #worlddrowningpreventionday #watersafety #drowningprevention #childsafety #publichealth #lifeguards #safeswimming #watersafetyawareness #infrastructure #preventtragedy #educateyouth #savelives #communitysafety #healthandwellness #safetyfirst

"Alarmingly, the under-five age group saw a spike in drownings, with eight fatalities, surpassing the 10-year average of five," it said. But remember, these drownings ARE preventable. Research conducted by the University of Otago and Water Safety New Zealand found that participation in swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% among children aged 0 to 4 years. New research from the University of Otago also suggests that teaching water safety in natural open water environments is MORE effective than traditional pools. With proper education and early intervention, we can significantly reduce the risk of drowning, especially among our youngest and most vulnerable population. Access lifesaving resources on Water Safety at https://buff.ly/3Fiut72

#Behindthescenes before the main day. I feel privileged to have worked with @Cradle land Schools, to launch their school pool. 1.With aqua aerobics #AfricanWay. 2.LifeSaving session demonstrating both wet and dry land rescues. 3.Water safety 4. CPR 5. Recovery position. #HydrosafeInternational. #DrowningIsPreventable. #Lifesaving. #CoachCathy. #LearnToSwim, #LearnCPR, #LearnWaterSafety. #BEWATERSMART.

May is National Water Safety Month, and the Barbara Bauer Briggs Family YMCA is sharing tips on how we can all stay safe in and around the water. Tip # 1: Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water. Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water. #WaterSafetyMonth

In light of the recent tragic drownings in Burswood, Royal Life Saving WA has made a statement reinforcing three interconnected water safety measures. The first stresses the need for constant supervision of children around water. Raising community awareness of distractions around water is an ongoing challenge that requires continued effort. Second, all drowning is local. Nothing matters more than the actions of people in metropolitan and regional communities from the Kimberley to the Great Southern. And third, developing swimming and water safety skills. Sadly, our research shows that many children miss out entirely on lessons and will leave primary school not being able to swim 50m – a benchmark for survival. The barriers to lessons are often financial, language or cultural, and sometimes all three. Any review must consider more than the adequacy of fencing and make recommendations relating to supervision and children’s swimming and water safety skills. You can read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/3NRXdYF

49% of all UK drownings occur between May and August. That rises to 71% for children. The reason is obvious – more people enjoy a refreshing dip in hot weather. But as we approach Drowning Prevention Week, we want to ensure everyone stays safe around water this summer. Read our article to get up to speed: https://lnkd.in/eYgmXTwA #DrowningPrevention

#WaterSafetyTip #6: Don't jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If an adult or child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try and save them. Even if they are a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer under water. The Y's Safety Around Water program teaches the "reach, throw, don't go" concept of using a long object to reach for them, and pull them to safety. By using this technique, an adult or child can help their friend without compromising their own safety. #ymcali #watersafety #lifeguard

As we look forward to enjoying the beach on the Fourth of July holiday, let's make water safety a priority for ourselves and our loved ones. Over the past five years, preventable drowning deaths in King County have remained alarmingly high, with 30 such tragedies occurring in 2023 alone. This sobering statistic underscores the importance of taking water safety seriously. At the YMCA of Greater Seattle, we're committed to ensuring everyone has the knowledge and resources to stay safe around water. Here are some key tips: 1. Always supervise children near water: Whether at a pool, lake, or river, ensure constant adult supervision. 2. Avoid alcohol and drugs when swimming or boating: Impairment significantly increases the risk of drowning. 3. Wear life jackets: Especially in open water, life jackets can be lifesaving. 4. Be aware of water temperatures: Cold water can be deceptive and dangerous, even in warmer weather. 5. Learn to swim: Enroll in swimming lessons at the Y to build confidence and skills in the water. Need-based financial assistance is available. Let’s work together to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone. Remember, safety starts with awareness, preparation, and commitment. Wishing you all a happy and safe Fourth of July! #WaterSafety #PreventDrowning #FourthofJuly #YMCAofGreaterSeattle

WSA 201-2017-1.2 specifications for Coatings applied to concrete water infrastructure require mandatory inspections by qualified SSPC CCI level 1 inspectors to validate compliance to AS/NZS 4020, coatings applied to potable water infrastructure. Products approved for use as protective coatings applied to concrete in extreme exposure class conditions. Subject to highly corrosive septic sewer atmosphere. Sewer Manholes, pump stations. Require SSPC CCI level 2 inspections Water standards require records be recorded and kept by a qualified inspector documenting supply, storage, mixing, equipment, surface preparation, application, WFT and DFT values, recoat times, curing, inspection, testing, repair of defects, and details of any deviation from the specification. An audit on council maintenance records should be conducted with particular emphasis on management and application of chemical compounds, such as epoxies, polyurethanes, polyurea, calcium alumina and other compounds that may contain toxic forever chemicals. These details represent key failure mechanisms, failure to monitor and record these details and any deviations may lead to premature failure and release deadly toxic forever chemicals into water supplies. Impeccable quality control in caring for our water & sewer network is critical. The lives of every Australian depends on the integrity of the industry.