Teaching Skills That Save Lives

By now, you may be too familiar with the sobering statistics on drowning: Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children ages 1-14. About ten people die from unintentional drowning every day, and of these, two are children under the age of 14, according to the Centers for Disease Control. 

Drowning also has an impact on society. Incidences of drowning will cost society about $100 billion for the next 20 years, according to a white paper from the National Swimming Pool Foundation. We also know there’s an easy way to help reduce tragic drowning incidences: Teach kids to swim. Research shows that if a child doesn’t learn to swim before the 3rd grade, they likely never will. Early swimming lessons are critical.  The YMCA has been teaching kids to swim for over 100 years.

Did You Know?

- 3 children die every day from drowning

- Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death for kids ages 5 to 14.

- 88% of kids who drown do so under adult supervision

- 60% of kids who drown are within 10 feet of safety

- Drowning is preventable

- More than 1.2 million kids took swim lessons at the Y in 2013 (227 right here in Hopkins County)

- The Y engages 9 millions kids each year

- The Y is in 10,000 neighborhoods across the country

The Hopkins County Family YMCA has restructured our swim lesson program to review saftey tips at every class, including "Reach, Throw, Don't Go."   Our next Saturday swim lessons begin April 16 and our next Tuesday/Thursday swim lessons begin Tuesday, Apil 26.  Please download registration form HERE and return with payment to the YMCA Front Desk two days prior to the session start date.