Promoting patron safety and enjoyment in aquatic environments
By Eric Spacek
Despite the prevalence of swim-safety programs and classes, drowning remains a major risk for both adults and children.
In the United States, an average of 3,500 to 4,000 people drown each year—that translates roughly to 10 fatal drownings per day. And not all of these drownings are children—almost 40 million adults (15.4%) do not know how to swim, and more than half (54.7%) have never taken a swimming lesson.
Leaders who run aquatic facilities should take extra steps to protect patrons so they can have an enjoyable and safe experience every time they enter the water. There are some critical ways to do that.