Tampa joins World’s Largest Swimming Lesson as Bay Area drowning deaths prime 1,200 over previous decade

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

More than 1,200 folks drowned throughout the Tampa Bay area over the previous decade, based on state well being information. As households spend extra time at swimming pools, seashores and lakes this summer season, town of Tampa is becoming a member of a worldwide motion to show a ability specialists say can save lives. FOX 13’s Matthew McClellan studies.

TAMPA, Fla. – More than 1,200 folks drowned throughout the Tampa Bay area over the previous decade, based on state well being information. As households spend extra time at swimming pools, seashores and lakes this summer season, town of Tampa is becoming a member of a worldwide motion to show a ability specialists say can save lives.

On Thursday, kids at two Tampa swimming pools will participate within the seventeenth Annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, becoming a member of contributors at lots of of waterparks, neighborhood swimming pools and aquatic amenities throughout six continents in a synchronized effort to advertise water security and drowning prevention.

Bay Area drowning metrics

By the numbers:

According to Florida Health Charts, 1,209 folks drowned throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Manatee, Sarasota and Hernando counties over the previous decade. Hillsborough County alone recorded 235 unintentional drowning deaths throughout that interval.

Health specialists say drowning stays the main explanation for unintentional injury-related dying for kids ages 1 to 4, making water security probably the most vital conversations households can have earlier than heading to the water.

The metropolis of Tampa will host free swim classes starting at 10 a.m. Thursday at:

• Copeland Pool, 11001 N. fifteenth St.
• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Pool, 2200 N. Oregon Ave.

“Every child deserves the chance to learn how to swim. It’s more than a skill, it’s a lifesaving tool,” Louis Campanello, aquatics crew supervisor for town of Tampa Parks & Recreation Department, stated. “Events like the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson help bring national attention to the critical need for water safety education.”

World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

Dig deeper:

What began in 2010 as a single-day consciousness marketing campaign has grown into one of many world’s largest coordinated water security initiatives.

According to organizers, the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson has reached greater than 447,000 kids and adults via greater than 5,000 host amenities in 56 international locations, all with the objective of accelerating entry to swim instruction and reinforcing the message that studying to swim saves lives.

The occasion can also be timed to lift consciousness forward of the Fourth of July vacation, traditionally one of many deadliest durations of the yr for drownings. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 17% of U.S. drowning deaths happen throughout July, with the very best threat surrounding the Independence Day vacation.

Drowning prevention pointers 

What you are able to do:

The occasion is supported domestically by Smile Like Aubrey, a nonprofit based after the drowning dying of 16-month-old Aubrey Strojnowski in 2020. The group advocates for early swim instruction, self-rescue expertise and year-round water security training.

Research cited by the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests formal swim classes can considerably scale back the chance of drowning amongst younger kids. Safety specialists emphasize, nevertheless, that classes are just one layer of safety.

Families are inspired to:

• Maintain fixed, distraction-free supervision round water.
• Install four-sided pool fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates.
• Learn CPR earlier than an emergency occurs.
• Use correctly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when acceptable.
• Never depend on floaties or inflatable toys as security gadgets.