(insert correct date here)

Attention: Assignment Editors

 

Contacts: (Your Name, Title, and Swim School Name here) (your phone number and e-mail address here)

 

 

Swim Schools Applaud the AAP’s New Guideline

 

 

 

(insert swim school name here)       has GREAT news to share about drowning prevention! As an active member of the U.S. Swim School Association we advocate for water safety awareness and drowning prevention. On May 24, 2010 the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their guidance on water safety and drowning prevention. In its updated policy, the AAP has revised its guidance on swimming lessons and also highlights new drowning risks.  Jeffrey Weiss, lead author of the policy statement says, “To protect their children, parents need to think about layers of protection. Children need to learn to swim. Swimming lessons can be an important part of the overall protection, which should include pool barriers and constant, capable supervision.” The statement goes on to say that new evidence shows that children ages 1 to 4 may be less likely to drown if they have had formal swimming instruction. This new guideline is a monumental change that indicates that the AAP recognizes the evidence that U.S. Swim School Association member schools have been promoting for years: formal swim lessons are a vital part of the multilevel approach to drowning prevention and water safety.

 

The AAP offers a specific 11 point advice list for parents that includes: never leaving children without adult supervision around any type of water; closely supervise children at all times; inquiring about exposure to water when your children are not in your care; installing appropriate fencing and gate systems around pools; providing swimming lessons to children; learning CPR; not using air-filled swimming aids; wearing life-jackets when children are in boats; knowing water depth and underwater hazards before allowing children to jump in any body of water; swimming at lifeguard supervised open bodies of water and counseling teenagers on the increased risk of drowning when alcohol is involved.

 

If you would like to learn more about water safety, drowning prevention or if you would like to sign your child up for swim lessons, please contact: (insert swim school name and contact information here.)

 

 

 

Approved for use by:                                                                                                              United States Swim School Association