The YMCA is committed to teaching critical safety around water skills to the Chester County community.
Accidental drowning is a leading cause of death for children under the age of 14.
“Drowning is one of the leading preventable causes of death for children under 14 years old and the leading cause for children ages 1 – 4,” shares Katie Doochack, director of Risk Management and Aquatic Safety at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine. “Children are naturally curious, and the world is filled with water. It is so important that parents have conversations with their children about water safety and follow several basic water safety tips for how to stay safe around water.”
Water does not discriminate – even Olympic swim meets have lifeguards – and it is important to remember that even competent swimmers should follow basic water safety practices.
Throughout the year, and specifically in May which is National Water Safety Month, the YMCA is committed to teaching children - and their parents - the importance of learning how to swim, starting with basic water safety skills. The YMCA of Philadelphia, YMCA of Delaware, YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties, North Penn YMCA and the YMCA of Greater Brandywine want to ensure that every area resident has access to quality and affordable water safety resources and instruction.
Our Safety Around Water programming is offered at no cost to area districts and community organizations and is generously supported by area businesses and individuals. If you are interested in bringing your school district, program or organization to the YMCA for a Safety Around Water program, please contact the executive director at your preferred location.
An Olympic Perspective
Swimming is the only sport that can also save your life. Olympian Elizabeth Beisel shares her love for the water along with the importance of water safety.
Keeping Your Kids Safe at the Pool
Read these simple tips for helping your family stay safe in and around water.
Help Waterproof Chester County
Participating in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% and at the YMCA, the goal is to ensure that everyone has access to quality swimming instruction.
More than 1,000,000 Children are Taught Water Safety and Swimming Skills Yearly at a YMCA
The Y is “America’s Swim Instructor” and the most accessible community resource to prevent drowning and encourage a lifelong enjoyment of swimming. As one of the largest community-based organizations in the country, the Y owns or manages over 2,000 pools, which has allowed us to teach more than a million children invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year.
Thanks to its size and reach, the Y is in a unique position to help bridge the gap in the delivery of swim lessons and water safety education in the U.S. — especially in underserved communities.
- Drowning is the leading cause of death for children, age one to four years old. Three children die every day as a result of drowning according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
- Drowning kills approximately 4,000 people each year in the U.S.
- 9 in 10 U.S. parents see swimming as a key life skill for children, on par with first aid skills or being able to prepare a simple meal.
- 1 in 2 U.S. parents believe water safety classes are expensive in comparison to the other groups surveyed.
- 24% of U.S. parents have low confidence with water activities or bodies of water
- 3 in 10 U.S parents state that water safety isn’t a priority due to affordability concerns.
- 44% of black parents have beginner or no swimming ability, a nearly 20 percent point difference in comparison to other U.S. parents
Learn more about the YMCAs commitment to water safety nationally.
The Y introduced the country to group swim lessons over 110 years ago in 1909. Now, as one of the largest community-based organizations in the country, we teach more than a million children, especially those most at-risk of drowning, invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year.
