Citation

Young S, Herring J. Strategies 2006; 19(4): 7-11.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Over the past century, the drowning rate in the United States has dropped tremendously. In 1913, there were 10.3 drownings per 100,000 people (Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census, 1914). The following year marked a concerted effort by the American Red Cross to increase the knowledge available to Americans and educate them about water safety (American Red Cross, 1988). Since this effort, the national drowning rate has dropped to 1.2 drownings per 100,000 people (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001). A large part of this reduction in drowning can be attributed to the increased education of Americans about water safety through American Red Cross programs and water safety instruction in physical education programs. It is not enough to rely on private swim lessons and summer camps as venues for teaching children about water safety. Not all children have the opportunity outside of school to participate in those types of programs. Physical education is a great place to educate children about safe behavior in and around water (Grenfell, 2002). This article provides children the basic rules for personal water safety and basic water rescues within a swimming or outdoor education unit in a K-12 setting.