On World Drowning Prevention Day, July 25, the YMCA is raising awareness about how education and simple precautions can save lives.
According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4 and the second-leading cause for children under 14 — but swim lessons and water safety education can make all the difference. Enrolling children in swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% (Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine).
“Our goal is to make sure every child in our community has the skills they need to stay safe — whether they’re at the pool, the lake, or just splashing in the backyard,” said Kimmy Heyer, aquatics director at the Salem Family YMCA.
Through programs like Y Splash and Riptides Swim School, the YMCA of Virginia’s Blue Ridge offers both free and low-cost water safety education year-round. Y Splash reaches thousands of second graders in Salem and Roanoke with free lessons, including basic safety skills and emergency response techniques.
“I love seeing kids go from nervous to confident in just a few days,” Heyer said. “Sometimes you can actually see them light up when they realize they’ve learned something that could save their life or a friend’s life.”
One of the most important safety reminders? Children should never swim alone — even strong swimmers.
“Always, always keep kids within arm’s reach in the water,” said Heyer. “It’s one of the simplest things we can do, but it makes all the difference.”
About Y Splash: Each spring and fall, the Y partners with Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem City and Botetourt County schools to teach every second grader basic water safety. Students receive three days of classroom and pool instruction led by YMCA aquatics experts at the Botetourt Family YMCA, Salem Family YMCA, or the Kirk Family YMCA. The curriculum includes personal safety skills, emergency response techniques, and handouts for parents to reinforce lessons at home.
At the end of the program, all students take a swim assessment. Children identified as non-swimmers are offered two months of free swim lessons to reduce their risk of drowning. This program is supported by donations.
On average, 53% of participating students are non-swimmers—underscoring the need for accessible water safety education.
Year-round swim lesson: The YMCA’s Riptides Swim School offers progressive instruction for swimmers of all levels at the Botetourt Family YMCA, Salem Family YMCA, and the Kirk Family YMCA. Students learn everything from water adjustment to competitive stroke development, with opportunities to advance to the Riptides Swim Team.
-The Salem Times-Register
