Above, aquatics instructors explain signs of a swimmer in distress and offer rescue strategies.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Swimming can be a great way to cool off when the weather gets hot, but not everyone in West Michigan knows how to swim or what to look for to spot a swimmer in distress.
Local nonprofits hope to increase swim awareness across all backgrounds by providing free lessons.
Students learn to ‘flip, float, follow’
Erin Deal, an aquatics instructor at the YMCA, says water awareness and swim training can be the difference between life and death, especially for kids. Not only do professional swim lessons teach kids how to navigate in the water, but they also teach good habits to keep people safe around the water like:
- Always have kids ask permission to get into the water.
- Never play “hold your breath” games.
- Always have a designated adult to actively watch kids while swimming.
- Never try to rescue a drowning person by swimming out to them — instead, reach from a secure place or throw something that floats.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 14. Low-income and minority communities are especially at risk, with nearly twice as many Black and Hispanic kids unable to swim compared to white children.
Red flag or green, advocates urge caution on Lake Michigan
Swim lessons can change that trend, but they can be expensive. The American Red Cross hosted a swim challenge in June to raise money for its capital campaign to benefit at-risk communities. The YMCA takes donations any time to support swim lessons. It also uses grant money to partner with schools to get lessons to kids who need them for free…