The mercury is rising, the smell of grilled burgers hangs in the air, and the sound of splashing water can be heard everywhere from Myrtle Beach to Lake Hartwell. Welcome to summer! Many Upstate residents enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities available this time of year; however these outdoor activities hold special health and safety risks, especially for children.
One of the top areas of concern is water safety. According to the CDC, there are nearly 3,500 drowning deaths in the US each year, and one in five drowning victims is a child. In fact, drowning is the third leading cause of accidental death for children. So as many families flock to pools, lakes, and beaches in an attempt to beat the summer heat, it is important that parents take the time to ensure their child’s safety in and around the water. One of the best ways to do this is to enroll them in a water safety course taught by a certified Water Safety Instructor.
The Kiwanis/ Red Cross Learn-to-Swim program is a great option for Greenville families offered free-of-charge by the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina. An eight-day course, Learn-to-Swim teaches children how to be safe in, on, and around the water. The program is geared to children Grades 3-5 who cannot swim. The program teaches fundamental water skills, such as safely entering and exiting the water, basic swimming strokes, submerging and holding breathe, and floating. It also covers safety topics, including safety around aquatic environments, the importance of lifejackets, how to call for help, and safety in the sun.
The Learn-to-Swim program is conducted by certified Water Safety Instructors, who have been trained by the American Red Cross. The instructors use fun activities, drills, and games to teach water skills. Ruth Reid, who has been a volunteer with the Red Cross for nearly 70 years, serves as a Water Safety Instructor for the Learn-to-Swim program. Reid feels the program is vital because it is more than just a swimming lesson. “Water safety is about more than just learning how to swim. Water safety is an attitude.” said Reid.
Since 1984, the program has helped over 8,000 Upstate children learn the importance of water safety, as well as develop fundamental swimming skills. This summer, nearly 50 volunteers from the American Red Cross of the Upstate and over 300 children were involved in the program. Sandra Coleman, of Greenville, enrolled her daughter Shawndra in the Learn-to-Swim program so that Shawndra could safely enjoy the family’s new pool. Shawndra said she had fun swimming with the other children, and “liked learning how to do the backstroke.” Sandra Coleman also volunteered with the program this summer. “Because the Red Cross offered the program for free, I thought it was important to give back,” said Coleman.
The program is typically offered at several locations across Greenville during the summer. This year, Kiwanis/ Red Cross Learn-to-Swim sites were the Life Center Health and Conditioning Club, Lakeside Park, and Westside Park. The courses took place June 7-14. The Kiwanis Club of Greenville and the Greenville Hospital System sponsored the program.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. Founded in 1917, the American Red Cross of Upstate South Carolina touches thousands of lives every year.
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