1. Drowning Prevention in
Public Schools
Adam Katchmarchi
Robert Ogoreuc

2. Introduction
Public schools create an excellent outlet for drowning
prevention and water safety information to reach youth.
Water is not always needed.
What topics should be covered?
How do we teach these topics so students will retain
information.
This will not reach all possible victims but it will reach a large
number of children to prevent them becoming victims.

3. Drowning- A True Public Health
Issue
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists drowning as an
unintentional injury related death.
Unintentional injury related death is the leading cause of
fatalities for victims 19 years old and younger.
Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury related
death for children 1-4.

4. Drowning Facts Continued
In the year 2007, there were 3,443 fatal unintentional
drowning deaths in the United States, averaging 10 per day.
Additionally 496 people died from drowning in boating related
incidents. (CDC)
More than one in five people who die from drowning are
children 14 and younger. For every child who dies from
drowning, another four received emergency department care
for nonfatal submersion injuries. (CDC)

5. Drowning Facts Continued
Who is most at risk?
Males: Nearly 80% of people who die from drowning are
male. (CDC)
Children: Children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning
rates. In 2007, among children 1 to 4 years old who died from
an unintentional injury, almost 30% died from drowning. Fatal
drowning remains the second-leading cause of unintentional
injury-related death for children ages 1 to 14 years. (CDC)

6. Drowning Facts Continued
Minorities
Between 2000 and 2007, the fatal unintentional drowning rate
for African Americans across all ages was 1.3 times that of
whites.
For American Indians and Alaskan Natives, this rate was 1.7
times that of whites. (CDC)
Rates of fatal drowning are notably higher among these
populations in certain age groups. The fatal drowning rate of
African American children ages 5 to 14 is 3.1 times that of
white children in the same age range.
For American Indian and Alaskan Native children, the fatal
drowning rate is 2.3 times higher than for white children. (CDC)

7. Drowning Facts Continued
Minorities
Factors such as the physical environment (e.g., access to
swimming pools) and a combination of social and cultural
issues (e.g., wanting to learn how to swim, and choosing
recreational water-related activities) may contribute to the
racial differences in drowning rates.
Current rates are based on population, and not on
participation. If rates could be determined by actual
participation in water-related activities, disparity in minorities
drowning rates compared to whites would be much greater.
(CDC)

8. So why schools?
Public Schools create the ability to reach large numbers of
students.
Ability to reach students who otherwise may not receive
water safety training.
Intensive Teacher Training not required.
May fit into State requirements for education.

9. Is this in the Education Standards?
Depends on the state you are in.
Some states require this information be taught and have
examples of what is expected to be taught.
Some states require this information be taught but are vague
on what is expected.
Some states do not have any water safety expectations.

10. State Examples
Required-
Florida
Alabama
Arkansas
California
North Carolina
Not Required-
Pennsylvania
Mississippi
Louisiana
New York

11. Break Down of Drowning Rates
(CDC)

12. Water Safety Without Water
Teaching water safety with water is ideal.
This is not an option for all students and schools.
With increased cost, swimming is sometimes cut from
education.
All students don’t have access to swimming lessons.
So the question remains how to we get this out to our
students.

13. Water Safety Without Water
This information can be shared in the classroom or the gym.
Not a lot of training is required by educators to teach this
information.
Educators should be creative and reach out to resources
such as NDPA for information and tools.
Students can learn about safety around the water without the
water.
Be creative and think outside the box.

14. Water Safety Without Water
Educators should also look for existing programs to use such
as the Safer 3.
Depending on the age range or grade level of the students
vary the lesson to meet their level of understanding and
interest.

15. My personal experience
Used these tools while completing my Student Teaching Experience.
School Facts:
East Garner Year Round Elementary.
Part of the Wake County Public School System (Raleigh, NC)
High Diversity School.
65.9% Free and Reduced Lunch.
852 Students enrolled during 2011-12 school year.
22% Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

16. My personal experience
Limited exposure to swimming lessons.
Some students had never gone swimming.
Introduces students to a wide array of water safety
information.
Used mainly the Safer 3 Model and tools.
Made modifications and introduced these topics to Pre K-5.
We will be doing some of these activities towards the end of
the workshop.

17. Examples-

18. Examples-

19. Examples-

20. Split up into groups

21. Activity One: What should be
taught to our students?
Pull out activity page 1 from the packet you received.
In your group come up with 5-10 items that you think should
be taught to students about water safety.
While you write this information down, think about ways we
can introduce these topics to students.
You will have 5 minutes to discuss this in your groups.
After 5 minutes each group will discuss what they have come
up with and we will make a master list.
READY…… GO!

22. Important Concepts
Reach, Throw….Don’t Go
Swim with a buddy.
Swim only where a lifeguard is present.
Have a first aid kit ready.
Know how you use rescue equipment.
Learn to swim.
Have a water watcher.
Use layers of protection.
Use only USCG approved PFD’s.

23. How to decide what to teach
Each educator should check with their state standards and
school district curriculum to see what is required.
Decide what information is most pertinent.
Think about what grades you will be teaching these topics to.

24. How to decide what to teach
Think about the area you are located in.
What is the main risks for students who you will come into
contact with.
Include as much information as you can, yet focus on main
risks.

25. Making This An Interactive Lesson
Don’t just lecture.
Make this lesson as interactive as possible.
If possible use real equipment such as ring buoys or PFD’s.
Be creative.
Tag games may even be appropriate.

26. Activity Two: Interactive Rule
Board
Pull out the hand out from you packet that is titled “Interactive
Rule Board.”
In your groups create a list of rules that you think should be
followed around the water.
Make these rules positive, not negative. Avoid words such as
“don’t,” “no,” or “not allowed.”
You will have 5 minutes to work in your groups.
After 5 minutes we will make a master list.

27. Example of Rules
Always swim with a buddy.
Always swim where there is a lifeguard.
Always walk around the water.
Learn Water Safety and First Aid.
Follow the lifeguards directions.
Have a water watcher.
Only swim in safe water.
Learn to Swim.
Swim where you know it is safe for you.
Follow all specific rules for where you are swimming.
Read all signs around the water.

28. Games to play
Be creative.
A game can help reinforce what is being taught.
Many resources out there.
Find games that fit the location.
Tag games work great!

29. Games to play
Swim with a buddy- Cross the River while
staying together.
Water Rescue Tag

30. Conclusion
Water Safety is not a difficult subject to teach.
Little training from teachers is required.
Suitable for all grades Pre K-12.
This will help spread the message.
Reaches students who don’t get swim lessons.
THIS CAN SAVE LIVES!!!!!

31. Contact Information
Mr. Adam Katchmarchi
Graduate Assistant
Sport Management Program
Health and Physical Education Department
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Adam.Katchmarchi@gmail.com
Mr. Robert Ogoreuc
Assistant Professor
Aquatics Director
Physical Education Department
Slippery Rock University
Robert.Ogoreuc@sru.edu