Drowning- How big is the problem? 1.2 million people around the world drown per year; that is 2 per minute with more than 50% being children In the United States alone, 10 per day without counting boating accidents 1 in 5 who die from drowning are children 14 and younger Drowning ranks 5 th among the leading causes of unintentional deaths Drowning deaths are four times more common in men than women. 80% of deaths by drowning are males. Minority statistics rise up to 3 times higher Among children ages 1-4, most drown at home pools Lifeguards account for 70,000 successful rescues per year in the US alone Who is most at risk? All children ages 1-4 All children 14 and younger Minority children 5-14 at higher rates than Caucasians Males higher than females 1
What factors influence drowning? Lack of swimming ability. CDC says that formal participation in swimming lessons can reduce the risk among children age 1-4 years. Lack of barriers. Four sides fences reduce risk by 83% Location. Location. Location: Ages 1-4: home swimming pools 15 and older: natural areas account for ½ of deaths Failure to wear lifejackets Alcohol use Seizure disorders What has research found? CDC has found that swimming skills help. Many people don t have any swimming skills. A CDC study about self reported ability found: Younger adults reported greater ability than older adults Self reported ability increased with level of education African Americans reported the most limited ability Men of all ages, races and educational levels consistently reported greater ability than women Seconds count. Learn CPR and AED use! Lifejackets do reduce risk. 50% of boating deaths could be avoided with lifejackets Have social, economic and industry changes resulted in less learn to swim participation? Less swimming pools in urban areas- budget cuts Less focus on swimming in PE programs More shallow water facilities Changing demographics Water play replaces swimming? Accessibility Affordability No longer top rated activity across ages 2
Take action to reduce risks! Learn to swim Careful supervision with knowledge of safety Barriers Adult undistracted supervision CPR/AED Buddy system Respect lifeguards/signage/warnings Know the terrain/avoid rip currents Use USCG approved life jackets Avoid alcohol Don t hold your breath (shallow water blackout) Don t drink the water Use approved swim diapers Creating a Swim Instruction Program for Your Aquatic Facility You already have most of what you need A great learning environment with shallow water Staff Rescue tubes and life jackets Marketing team and marketing reach 3
You re only 5 simple steps away from a successful learn to swim program! 1. Select a curriculum Create your own program Become a provider of an established program 2. Establish scheduling & pricing Keep it simple! Keep a day available for rain outs/reschedule Comparison price your competition Try evening and weekend classes When planning adult lessons, do weekly not daily 4
3. Instructor Development Use existing staff Your program will only be as good as your instructor Good swimmers don t always become good instructors 4. Branding Establish your facility as a leader in swim instruction and water safety Tie into your theme and build on what you already have 5. Program Oversight An on-deck supervisor is a must A dedicated Program Director is a key to growth and success 5
Sunsplash Family Waterpark June thru July. 1 Saturday session, 2 Mon-Wed sessions, 1 T-Th session, 7 weekly sessions for Jr. Guard. 8:30 am 9:45 am (8:30-9:10 ages 6 mo 6 yrs; 9:15 9:45 ages 6-15) Fees charged: $65 resident/$85 non-resident; $130/week Jr. Guard 15-20 instructors 200 students Summit Family Aquatic Center Sharkey s Swim School AM Children 5 10 years of age, $40 per child per session ½ hour lesson, 4 days per week, total of 2 hours per week of instruction Sharkey s Swim School PM Children 5 10 years of age, $60 per child per session ½ hour, 3 days per week for two week period, total of 3 hours of instruction Let s Talk Private Lessons Only WSI or Swim Team Coaches allowed Must sign agreement stating they are responsible for their own tax filing. Must work at least 20 hours for the City in order to be able to teach private lessons. Costs range from $25 to $35 per ½ hour class Instructors advertise on their own 6
Benefits support overall goals of the park Revenue Community service safety Feeder program for employment Revive a struggling program by adding some sizzle for success! Summit Family Aquatic Center Case Study From FREE to FEE huge decline + indoor competitors No sizzle for the dollar higher expectations when fee based Repackaged, branded and improved Add ritual, ceremony and celebration Sold out successful revenue source 7
Sharkey s Swim School Graduation Parental education to reduce risk According to the CDC, research shows contributing factors that point toward parental responsibility. Teach everyone to swim, teach parental responsibility. Lack of swimming ability Lack of barriers Lack of close supervision Failure to wear lifejackets Alcohol use 8
www.colinshope.org Education through swim testing and lifejacket use 9
Note & Float Aquatics Safety Group Education or Legislation? Use USCG approved lifejackets Lifejackets promote a safe environment does not imply unsafe Free USCG lifejackets then eliminates the drama of excluding swimmies. CDC says that 72% boating deaths that occurred in 2012 were caused by drowning, with 88% of victims not wearing lifejackets. 86% of children who drown are found within 10 minutes S2075 approved and sent to the House- requires all children s camps, lakes and other swimming areas, except swimming and wading pools, to have one life jacket for each child there. Prohibits camps from refusing to allow campers to bring their own Christian s Law for Christian Frechette WWA supports education and providing USCG approved jackets Cut down on assists and rescues. Adds confidence and encourages learning to swim by reducing water anxiety No one wants training wheels forever Know their ability. Swim Test! 10
Community & Public Education Take a ride on the Sambulance! What is the Sambulance Safety Squad? Sahara Sam s Oasis Indoor Waterpark, West Berlin, NJ Ilya Girlya takes Community Water Safety Education to new heights Sambulance Safety Squad s primary purpose is to educate school age children that safety is a shared responsibility and My Safety Comes First! Complimentary school, camp, church and organization educational program designed to educate about safety awareness, emergency situations, first aid and water safety. 501(c)3 based at and primarily funded by Sahara Sam s The Sambulance Message Safety Awareness (Stay Calm, Stranger Danger) Emergencies (Know Who to Call, 9-1-1, When You Are Alone) First Aid Water Safety (Know Your Limits, Lifeguards, Pool, Lake and Beach Safety, Winter Water and Ice Safety, Pool Chemical Safety) Bullying (Prevention, Actions) and Fire Safety (Prevention, Safety) Car Safety (Seat Belts, Booster and Car Seats) Wheeled Sport Safety (Bicycles, Scooters, Helmets) Served 19,000 kids to date! Who is the Sambulance Safety Squad? Fully trained Lifeguards, EMTs, Firefighters and Safety Personnel Mascots: Doc Sam, Sergeant Sam, Lifeguard Sam and McGruff the Crime Dog The Sambulance is an ambulance wrapped in fun colors and designs with working props The Crimestopper is a new patrol car for Sergeant Sam through a partnership with the National Crime Prevention Council Partner with Cooper Children s Regional Hospital, Safe Kids Southern NJ, Bullying Academy and the American Red Cross 11
Sambulance Branding Bookmarks Certificates Coloring Books Educational pieces Workbooks Associated Curriculum Want to ride the Sambulance? Katie Field Community Program Manager SAMBULANCE Educational Safety Programs 535 North Route 73 West Berlin, NJ 08091 856-767-7580 X 110 kfield@saharasams.com 12
Increase your minority involvement The CDC says that between 2005 and 2009, the fatal unintentional drowning rate for African Americans was significantly higher that that of Caucasians across all ages. Widest disparity among children 5-14: three times as high. In American Indian and Alaskan Native Children, it is 2.4 times as high Factors such as access, desire and choosing aquatics may contribute to this. Rates are by population, not participation. If so, it would be five time as high. Create mentors. Get funding partners. Educate parents. Create career opportunities. Mirror success. Create and foster a culture of swimming. Mirror the mentors. June 18, 2013 Be a Part of It! 13
What is it? Swimming safety program, promotion and Guinness World Record attempt Sponsored by a dozen leading aquatic organizations. Global participation. Media interest. Public relations and marketing benefits. How does it work? Provides an early season reason for the media to visit the park shortly after opening. Little out-of-pocket cost. You are perceived as the good guys in promoting water safety even participating with our competition for the good of all. WWA provides everything you need to make it a successful event! Partner with the local YMCA/Boys Club/Fitness Center ROI Over the years, organizations that participated, have received widespread media coverage. Coverage on local news, morning shows and regional television loves this event. Incredible coverage that you could not duplicate. FRONT PAGE local newspaper photo. Builds credibility, it s fun.and who knows, it could save a life! 14
Exploring new markets Train Teen Peer Mentors Utilizing Teen Peer Mentors who enjoy swimming, learn to swim programs have flourished. The TryCAN Collaboration s trained Teen Peer Mentors now volunteer for Learn to Swim Lessons to enable children with special needs to join the typical program. Partnering with the YMCA and The Connection for Women and Families, special needs swim lessons have flourished. Go Home and Dive In! 15