According to the Centers for Disease Control, formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children ages 1 to 4.

Make a Splash is a swim lesson outreach program provided at low-income apartment complexes. Many times children are left unsupervised in apartment complexes around swimming pools. There is a high population of immigrant families in Dallas living in these complexes with children who do not know how to swim.

In Texas drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children. An average of 70 children drown each year; and for every child who drowns, an estimated 4 additional hospitalizations and 14 emergency department visits are due to submersion injuries.

In 2014, the Dallas YMCA offered these lessons at 142 apartment complex pools. Nearly 3,000

outstanding partner in this vital community outreach. Most of the children failed the basic survival skills test before the lessons. After lessons a swim assessment produced theseresults: Pre-test Post-test

- Can climb out of the pool independently 75% 92%

- Able to stream-line kick on stomach with face in the water up to 15 ft. 45% 69% - Can jump in deep water and return to the wall 47% 79%

142 Apartment Communities

Safety in and around water is an important issue for all of our children, but minority children are nearly 3 times more likely to drown each year. Experts say that minority children are not learning to swim as often as their white counterparts. They blame a number of thorny issues surrounding the problem - race, class, culture, privilege and poverty.

YMCA URBAN SWIM PROGRAMAddressing water safety in the minority communityYMCA’S GRAND SOLUTION

Because we care about children’s safety and because we have over 100 years of experience teaching people how to swim, the YMCA developed a plan to reach minority children so they could learn basic water safety skills and help them have fun around water at the same time. Since 2004 over 25,000 kids from South and West Dallas area Y’s have learned to swim through the Urban Swim Program

Our program outcomes compel us to grow this initiative and reach even more children and families. Only if we’re successful in helping parents understand how critical these skills are to the safety and well-being of

YOUTH SWIMAt the YMCA, we believe that the inability to pay the full fee should never be a barrier for safety. The YMCA Urban Swim initiative removes this economic barrier by offering swim lessons at a reduced price or no cost. Last year 10 out of 13 kids who participated in the program were hired as lifeguards by the YMCA.

Since 2005, over 25,000 kids have received free or reduced swim lessons in our YMCA pools at Park South, Moorland, Oak Cliff and Lakewest.

URBAN SWIM ACADEMY

as lifeguards and trained to save lives in pools, lakes and waterfronts.

STUDENT SWIMThrough a partnership with DISD, students in select schools receive swim lessons during their school day. This program increases water safety awareness and swimming skills. In the 2014 school year 1368 youth participated in the YMCA Student Swim Program.

Participants were interviewed and 92% reported they swam often in the summer. Yet, we found that none of them could perform all ten skills that were tested. We also discovered only 5% could swim 20 yards (A measure for kids swimming without a parent). When the swim lessons ended, a staggering 82% could reach the 20 yard mile-stone.

last day of the lessons. Ten points were awarded for each skill completed. Results were measured by how many more points were received on the post-test compared to the pre-test results. Result reported 89% of participants improved by 30 points or more and 79% improved by 50 points or more.

3,500 American children a year experience a drowning related incident. By familiarizing yourself with a few simple water safety rules and testing your child’s swimming ability you could protect your family against the dangers of drowning.

Take the time to memorize and teach your children these three essential tips for water safety. Then, contact

Sponsored by: The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, Children’s Medical Center, AllianceData, Safe Kids and Independent Pool and Spa Service Association

To learn more go to KnowBeforeYouGo.org

TEST & TEACHHave your child’s swimming skills tested at your local YMCA absolutely free. If your child is not a strong swimmer enroll them in swim classes. The Y offers swimming instruction for children of all ages. (6 months and up)

WATCH AND GUARDNever leave a child unattended around water. Appoint at least one adult “Water Watcher” to supervise all water and pool activities. Also, make sure there are non-climbable fences, locks, covers and alarms to secure the pool when not in use.

THROW, DON’T GOToo often, drownings are multiplied because somebody tries to be a hero. If you see a child struggling in the water at a pool or lake, NEVER jump in to rescue. Instead, throw out a Coast

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KNOW BEFORE YOU GOYMCA Water Safety Program

Mission:To put Christian values into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas601 N. Akard St., Dallas, TX 214-880-9622 www.ymcadallas.org