Water Safety

Drowning Is Preventable

Drowning is the #1 cause of accidental DEATH for children ages 1 - 4 years old.

Most of these children were being supervised by an adult who was missing from sight for less than five minutes.

This is the drowning prevention program AVAC Swim School® teaches.

Follow the Safer 3 Water Safety Program

Stop Drowning Now provides a three-layered approach to drowning prevention.

AVAC Swim School is dedicated to creating swimmers who are “Safer” around water. We follow & subscribe with the Safer 3 Water Safety Foundation mission.

The main concept of the Safer 3 is based on the definition of the word “Safe.” Safe means you are free from risk of harm or danger. When it comes to water, that simply isn't true. There is always risk when you are in, on or around the water. The risk may vary in degree from very slight to very severe.

The letter “r” in the word “Safer” reflects that difference. Risk of drowning is found in 3 main areas; Water, a Person which we shall refer to as a KID, since we are all someone’s kid, and a Response that will become the last chance for saving a life.

The Safer 3 is a comprehensive initiative to dramatically reduce drowning incidents by:

  1. Recognizing risks associated with water related activities
  2. Implementing strategies to reduce and manage those risks
  3. Responsibly maintaining those strategies

Safer Water means identifying where the risks are with any body of water (bathtubs, pools, spas, lakes, rivers or oceans) and learning how to reduce those risks. For example installing barriers such as isolation fencing around a backyard pool would reduce the risk of unauthorized access to the pool by young children.

Safer Kids covers the behaviors necessary for both kids and parents to promote water safety. These water safety tips include constant responsible supervision by adults, along with swimming skills attained through ongoing qualified instruction for kids.

Safer Response overviews emergency response techniques and emergency action plans as a path to water safety. Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid, as well as having a phone by the pool at all times, are just a few of the water safety tips covered here.

Safer Water: Protection Against Unauthorized Entry

  • The protection against an unauthorized entry to a pool or spa by a child.
  • There are many types of protection available: barrier fencing with latching gates, alarms, door locks and pool covers.

Safer Kids Education: The Caretaker And The Potential Victim, The Child

  • Constant adult supervision by one with swimming ability.
  • Swim skill attainment through ongoing lesson programs by qualified instructors.
  • Education of both parents and children as to proper behavior in and around the water.

Safer Response: Know what to do in case of an accident

  • Preparation in the event of a drowning accident.
  • Rescue techniques such as CPR and rescue breathing should be learned and reviewed.
  • Developing an action plan and having rescue equipment on hand are also important.
  • Everyone should be familiar with the 911 emergency phone number and a phone should be at poolside.

Water Safety Field Trips

For the first time, AVAC Swim School® has put together a program for schools that addresses water safety. We offer field trips in our Open Aire pool facility where we will have a presentation on water safety and also have a free "Open Swim" for all the students. We firmly believe that we can make a difference in drowning prevention and hope you feel as strongly as we do about water safety for your students.

Contact the Director of Swim School Danielle Griffith-Jones for more information. Email her or call 408.445.4913.