The YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas, in collaboration with West Point Public Schools and West Point Country Club, is proud to sponsor a vital 2 week Water Safety Program for 60 second graders at West Point Elementary School. This initiative addresses the urgent need for water safety education in our community, given the extensive 989 square miles of water in our service area and the numerous pools accessible to local children.
Our WPES swimmers are learning essential water safety skills, including:
Jump, Push, Turn, and Grab: Techniques for pushing off the bottom of the pool as they are submerging to get back up to the surface while turning to grab the side of the pool.
Swim, Float, Swim: Strategies to keep calm and stay afloat if they find themselves in trouble.
These statistics underscore the importance of this program:
Three children die from drowning every day.
Drowning is the second leading cause of death for kids ages 5-14 and the second leading cause of accidental death among children in Virginia.
For every child who drowns, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
Most drownings in children ages 5-14 occur in swimming pools or open water.
58% of parents do not consider drowning a significant threat to their children.
A staggering 88% of children who drown are under parental supervision.
60% of drownings happen within 10 feet of safety.
To combat these alarming statistics, the YMCA's Endowment Fund is committed to providing free water safety classes to over 7,000 second graders in our service area. This initiative aims to significantly enhance water safety awareness and skills among young children and works to reduce drowning incidents and ensure a safer environment for all.