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It's safety first at Pasco County's World's Largest Swimming Lesson

 
MICHELE MILLER |  Times What better way to get the word out about water safety then inviting the public out for a free lesson? That’s the reasoning behind the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, which was held June 20 at Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson and at locations in 20 countries throughout the world. Here, swim instructor and lifeguard Meg Taylor, 18, guides Jamison Wiese, 5, through a lesson on the front crawl or freestyle stroke.
MICHELE MILLER | Times What better way to get the word out about water safety then inviting the public out for a free lesson? That’s the reasoning behind the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, which was held June 20 at Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson and at locations in 20 countries throughout the world. Here, swim instructor and lifeguard Meg Taylor, 18, guides Jamison Wiese, 5, through a lesson on the front crawl or freestyle stroke.
Published July 3, 2019

HUDSON — "We live in Florida. Water is everywhere."

That was the reasoning echoed for parents who brought their children to the 10th-annual World's Largest Swimming Lesson held June 20 at Veterans Memorial Park.

Just a few days before, 2-year-old Devin Vatter drowned in a pool in New Port Richey. According to statistics provided by Pasco County Fire and Rescue public information officer Corey Dierdoff, as of June 27, there had been one drowning and seven near-drownings in the county. Another near-drowning was reported in Wesley Chapel last weekend at Epperson Ranch Lagoon in Wesley Chapel.

Hosting the World's Largest Swimming Lesson is a way of trying to prevent future tragedies, said Alicia Schuering, aquatic technician for Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

Seventy-three children ages 6 months to 12 years attended this year's event. More than 50,000 kids in 20 countries were registered to participate worldwide.

"It was a good showing," Scheuring said, adding that the goal is to get the message out to more people each year.

The 30-minute lesson is meant to raise awareness about water safety and the dangers of drowning, a leading cause of childhood deaths. Timing of the event coincides with the start of summer, and also provides a reminder for the Fourth of July holiday, when pool parties and beach outings are typical fare.

Lessons were broken down into four sessions that gave a brief overview of safety skills. Among them: how to summon help or throw a flotation device, rather than entering the water to help someone in need; and the importance of asking permission and making sure an adult is watching before entering the water. Youngsters learned water survival skills — how to roll from a front to a back float and how to tread water. Basic swim instructions included kicking, rhythmic breathing and practicing the front crawl or freestyle stroke.

A hopeful thought is that some of those kids will come back for formal swimming lessons, which are held over two-week sessions during the summer, Scheuring said. Those who cannot afford to pay for lessons are welcome to apply for a swim scholarship funded by area businesses, as well as a local book club, she said.

"We want to make sure every kid has the opportunity to learn how to swim," Scheuring said.

Attending was a matter of course for Kim Wiese, 37, who brought her two sons, Jamison, 5, and Bentley, 7.

"I want them to learn how to swim," she said. "There's water all around, and they like the water a little too much."

Zacch Webb, 29, spent the entire session in the water with his 2-year-old daughter, Kenzley.

"We have a pool in the backyard, so it's important for them to know how to swim," he said. "And if there's ever an occurrence where she falls into the pool, she'll know what to do."

Fast facts:

Safe Kids Worldwide and Nationwide's Make Safe Happen:

• Drowning is the number one cause of injury death for children ages 1-4. It is the second leading cause of injury death for ages 5-14 and the third leading cause of injury death for children 15-19, as well as for children under 1.

• An estimated 1,000 children drown in a year, 70 percent between May and August. Research shows that for every drowning, nearly seven children are seen in emergency rooms because of a non-fatal incident. That translates to 150 families each week who experience a frightening or tragic water event.

Florida Department of Health:

• Florida leads the country in drowning deaths of children ages 1-4.

• Annually in Florida, enough children to fill three to four preschool classrooms drown before their fifth birthday.

• In 2013, Florida had the highest drowning rate in the nation for children ages 1–4 years.

• Florida had the second highest drowning rate in the nation for children ages 1–14 years. Oklahoma was first for this age group. Mississippi third for this age group.

Pasco County drowning/near-drowning statistics

  • • Jan. 1, 2019-June 27, 2019: drowning, 1; near-drownings, 7; total incidents, 8.
  • • 2018: drownings, 5; near-drownings, 19; total incidents, 24.
  • • 2017: drownings, 2; near-drownings, 13; total incidents, 15.
  • • 2016: drownings, 2; near-drownings, 10; total incidents, 12.
  • • 2015: drownings, 3; near-drownings, 14; total incidents, 17.

• Jan. 1, 2019-June 27, 2019: drowning, 1; near-drownings, 7; total incidents, 8.

• 2018: drownings, 5; near-drownings, 19; total incidents, 24.

• 2017: drownings, 2; near-drownings, 13; total incidents, 15.

• 2016: drownings, 2; near-drownings, 10; total incidents, 12.

• 2015: drownings, 3; near-drownings, 14; total incidents, 17.

Check out the Pasco County Public Service Announcement on drowning at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGLzvaSMK7o

Contact Michele Miller at mmiller@tampabay.com or (727) 869-6251. Follow @MicheleMiller52.

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