As May comes to a close and we head into warm summer days by the water across our North Shore communities, all of us must prioritize water safety and ensure that everyone can enjoy water-based activities without fear.
Our YMCA locations in Gloucester, Beverly, Haverhill, Ipswich, Marblehead, Salem and Plaistow, New Hampshire, join YMCAs across the country in a commitment to prioritizing water safety, allocating resources to ensure safe aquatic experiences for all, including children and caregivers. In 2023, YMCAs in Massachusetts provided swim lessons to more than 68,889 youth, while training more than 1,459 lifeguards and 346 swim instructors.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals a startling reality: drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, with incidents increasing by 28% among this age group from 2019 to 2022. Additionally, accidental drowning accounts for 91% of deaths for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and they are 160 times as likely to die from drowning as other children. In Massachusetts alone, 11 unintentional drowning deaths were reported among children aged 1-17 in 2021.
Drowning affects adults as well. In 2021, 58 unintentional drowning deaths occurred in Massachusetts, with 113 non-fatal near-drowning cases requiring acute care hospital treatment. These statistics are exacerbated by the alarming finding from the CDC that over half (55%) of U.S. adults have never taken a swimming lesson. Furthermore, drowning rates vary by race and ethnicity, with American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) individuals experiencing disproportionately higher rates.
In anticipation of summer, all our Aquatic Directors urge caregivers to actively promote water safety with six key tips:
1: Always ask permission before going in or near water.
Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.
2: Never swim alone without a water watcher.
When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.
3: Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water.
Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.
4: Don’t engage in breath-holding activities.
Both adults and children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
5: Wear a life jacket.
Inexperienced or non-swimmers should always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket while in or around the water.
6: Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water.
If an adult or child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try and save them. Even if they are a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, an adult or child can help their friend without compromising their own safety.
The YMCA of the North Shore remains steadfast in its commitment to water safety for all with swim lessons for all ages, and abilities including our innovative and inclusive swimming program, Water Wise. This unique aquatics program is designed for children on the autism spectrum. Research shows that participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children ages 1-4 years.
Each year, YMCAs nationwide, including the 28 YMCA Associations in Massachusetts, review and update water safety policies, ensuring staff are adequately trained. Drowning is a national concern that demands collective action. YMCAs are proud to shoulder their responsibility in making drowning prevention tools and techniques available for all.
Gerald MacKillop Jr. is chief operating officer of the YMCA of the North Shore.