Tampa YMCA recommends safe swimming tips for families - Bay News 9

TAMPA, Fla. — With school out and summer in session, the YMCA is advising families to practice safe swimming.

According to the Tampa YMCA, children under five-years-old die from drowning in Florida more than in any other state.

The YMCA offers affordable swim programs for families to teach kids essential water safety skills and confidence in the water. The programs range from family swim, competitive swimming and lifeguard training.

“We offer group swim lessons for ages 6 months to adult, private swim lessons 3 years to adult. Our swim teams range from recreational to competitive for youth and masters for adults. In addition, we have lifeguard certification courses, junior lifeguard camp in the summer and water fitness classes. There is so much to do at the Y,” said Lacey Boldman, Tampa Y’s Senior Director of Aquatics & Swim Lesson Partnerships.

“Sixty-nine percent of all drownings among children aged 4 and younger happen during non-swim times. Drownings kill more kids, ages 1-4, than any other cause. It is the leading cause of unintentional deaths in this age group. It is the second leading cause of death for kids 5-14. Plus, 60% of kids who drown are within 10 feet of safety,” Boldman said.

YMCA swim lessons. (Tampa YMCA)

The Y recommends kids and adults practice the following safety tips when in and around the water:

• Awareness

  • Understanding the statistics above

  • Being aware of bodies of water that pose danger

  • Being aware of prevention tactics listed below

  • Only swim when and where there is a lifeguard on duty; never swim alone.

  • Parents or guardians of children who are non-swimmers or beginning level swimmers should be in the water and within arm’s reach of their child.

  • Children and adults should not engage in breath-holding activities in the water.

• Swim Lessons

• Learning CPR/AED

• Barriers (fences, alarms, latches/gates)

• Being a water-watcher

  • Eliminate Distractions

  • No talking, texting, reading, playing games

• Wear Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets

To learn more, visit https://watersafetyflorida.org.

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