Every Child a Swimmer: Making Waves in Water Safety and Drowning Prevention
The Every Child a Swimmer (ECAS) team has had a busy month, attending several key events to strengthen our mission and expand our outreach. We were excited to participate in the Heritage Business Development Workshop
Gorman Company Customer Appreciation BBQ
and the FSPA East Central Chapter Baseball with the Daytona Tortugas event.
These gatherings provided incredible opportunities to network with industry leaders and forge new partnerships, bringing us closer to our goal of making water safety a priority for all.
Additionally, Casey recently flew to Dallas, Texas, to participate in not one, but two episodes of the Pool Nation Podcast. The first episode shared Casey’s personal story, highlighting how the pool industry can support the ECAS mission. During this podcast, Todd Pieri from AquaStar Pool Products called in with an extraordinary announcement—AquaStar has committed $10,000 to support ECAS’s efforts. Following this, Todd Pieri and Steve Barnes scheduled a second podcast to further discuss collaborative strategies on how we can maximize our impact together. On August 3rd, Todd, Steve, Casey and the Pool Nation team met again for Part 2 of the Pool Nation Podcast to discuss the importance of having a conversation about water safety with your clients. Together, we can move the needle and save many lives together!
We were also honored to participate in the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) – United to End Drowning event on August 6th held at the iconic International Swimming Hall of Fame pool. This event was a vital part of our continued efforts to address Florida’s public health crisis related to childhood drowning. We understand that there is much more to be done to make meaningful progress in saving lives, and we are steadfast in our commitment to this cause.
Why We Do What We Do:
Drowning is a global health issue that claims an estimated 236,000 lives annually. The highest rates are seen among children aged 1-4 years, followed closely by children aged 5-9 years. In the United States alone, approximately 3,960 unintentional drowning fatalities occur each year, which equates to about 11 deaths every day. Non-fatal drowning incidents are equally alarming, accounting for over 8,000 emergency department visits each year.
There are also stark racial and socioeconomic disparities when it comes to drowning. African American children aged 5-19 are 5.5 times more likely to drown in swimming pools than their white counterparts, often due to limited access to swimming lessons and safe swimming environments.
However, there is hope. Research shows that participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children aged 1-4 by as much as 88%. That’s where ECAS steps in—by providing swim lesson scholarships to children from low-income families, we are breaking down the economic barriers that prevent many from learning essential, life-saving skills.
Our Mission Continues
We are proud to collaborate with high-quality swim schools that share our mission to create a generation of swimmers. Together, we can significantly reduce drowning rates and promote water safety among vulnerable populations. By working hand in hand with dedicated partners and sponsors, ECAS is making a difference—one swimmer at a time.
