Interested in learning how to provide water safety programming to schools? This slideshow is for you!

1. 19th International Boating &
Water Safety Summit
Education Connection:
Drowning Prevention in Schools
Presenter: Diane Hennessy
Drowning Prevention Coalition of Palm Beach County
Coordinator, Outreach Educator

2. Our Mission
To prevent drowning, near-drowning and other
water-related incidents in Palm Beach County
by educating residents on water safety and
basic rescue techniques.
 Not Easy
 Limited Staff
 Limited Funding

3. How Do We Get Into The Schools?
 Start at the top and work your way down
1. PBC School District Physical, Health, and Driver
Education Administrator (set up a meeting to discuss
goals and objectives). Have them send out a
memo/flyer to all PE teachers about availability of
free, land based drowning prevention education.
2. Beginning of each school year I attend the District’s
PE teacher orientation, set up a table and NETWORK.
In the past we’ve actually been able to speak for a
minute or two to entire audience.
3. Contact PE & Health teachers along with school
nurses directly - via email, phone call or by letter.

4. How Do We Get Into The Schools?
 Start at the top and work your way down
1. If you are part of a smaller school district go to the Board
of Education or school administrators offering your
services.
2. Attend health and safety fairs when possible and sell
yourself and what your program has to offer!!!! Often
times you run into teachers or individuals who have
contacts in the schools, or parents that are interested in
having a program done in their child’s class.
3. Promote your program via Social Media outlets
4. Research online for list of schools in your area (both
public & private)

5. What if I Need Help?
 Turn to community partners
1. County and city parks and recreation departments
and their aquatics division
2. Local Red Cross
3. Army Corps of Engineers
4. Local Health Department
5. Pool Safely from U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission
6. Safe Kids Coalition
7. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
8. Fire Rescue and Police

6. What if I Need Help?
 Turn to community partners
9. Local YMCA/Boys and Girls Club
10. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA)
11. Department of Children and Families
12. A local re-use center
13. United Way
14. Local Press (personal stories)
15. Families United

7. After Connection is Made
 Discuss with teacher prior to presentation
the amount of time allowed for program.
Let them know information to be discussed. If you
have photos such as a drain picture showing an
injury, get approval from them.
 Ask if there is a student in the class that has
been effected by a drowning incident.
 Adjust delivery of information depending on
age of students.

8. The Importance of
Involvement

9. Making Water Safety And Drowning Prevention
Fun To Learn Using Crafts
Making Water Watcher Tags and
Rescue Devices

10. Making Water Safety And
Drowning Prevention Fun To Learn
Student Involvement
Getting The Kids
Involved
Boating Safety

11. Making Water Safety And
Drowning Prevention Fun To Learn
Student Involvement
 Great for Assemblies.
 Make volunteer
cards.
 Hand them to
students randomly
as they arrive to your
presentation.
 Call your volunteer
when ready.

12. Making Water Safety And Drowning Prevention
Fun To Learn
Teacher Involvement
“Build-A-Teacher”

13. Making Water Safety And Drowning Prevention
Fun To Learn
Using Visual Aids
http://www.safekids.org/educators/Start-safe/water-safety/

14. Making Water Safety And
Drowning Prevention Fun To Learn
Using Games
Great for
Summer
Camps and
Elementary
School
Children

15. Making Water Safety And
Drowning Prevention Fun To Learn
Games For Middle & High School Students

16. Pre-K &
Kindergarten
 Keep it simple, simple, simple!!
 Focus - always being with a grownup in or
near water. Use Finding Nemo analysis.
 Who is considered a grownup and who is not?
 Life Jacket demonstration

17. Pre-K &
Kindergarten
• “Stewie the Duck” presentation using book, music, and song.
• Book donated by Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities.

18. Pre-K &
Kindergarten
Sandy & Buddy
Our Build-A-Bears
Teaching How To Be
Safe at The Beach
*Materials Donated By Build-A-Bear. Went to a mall, walked into the store and just asked for
donation!

19. Pre-K
Kindergarten
Paid for by local
Rotary Club!

20. What Does Drowning Mean?
• Can’t breathe underwater. Hold breath as example.
• How much water does it take to drown? Nose to
bottom lip demonstration

21. ABCDs of Water Safety
Used for Elementary through High School
Adult Supervision
1.Easy to keep track of topics.
2.Easy to remember.
3.Great visual aid.

22. Adult Supervision
Always swim in front of a
LIFEGUARD!!

23. Adult Supervision
WATER
WATCHER

24. Adult Supervision for Middle
School and High School Students
• Important topic because they:
– Babysit for pay.
– Watch siblings.
– Are easily distracted and tend to be peer influenced.
– Are known to swim alone.
– Think a drowning can’t happen to them.
– Are frequently un-chaperoned at pool parties.

25. ABCDs of Water Safety
Elementary School:
• Buddy
• Boating/Life Jackets
• Beach/Basic Rescue
Middle School & High
School
• Buddy
• Boating/Life Jackets
• Beach/Basic Rescue
• Buckets, Bathrooms
& other Water Dangers Around the House
Takes the most time….

26. Buddy
• Always swim with a buddy regardless of
swimming capability. If something happens
and there is no one to assist in your rescue,
you’re in big trouble.

27. Boating/Life Jackets
• Visually showing how to fit life jackets properly.
• Importance of lifejackets being United Sates Coast Guard approved.
• When lifejackets should be worn (boating & swimming).
• Different kind of life jackets on the market – what’s good and what’s not!

28. Beach/Basic Rescue
• Never jumping in after someone if they are drowning.
• Reach or Throw Don’t Go – show objects that can be used (pool noodle/rescue jug).
• Flag colors.
• Swimming in front of a lifeguard.
• What to do if you get caught in a rip current.
Try to get local lifeguards
involved in your
presentation

29. High School
Buckets, Bathrooms & Other Water Related
Dangers Around The House
• Important discussion with older students
since they are most likely babysitting.

30. ABCDs of Water Safety
All Grade Levels
• Caution/Careful
• Canals
• Classes in swimming
High School
• CPR

31. Caution

32. Canal Safety
1. Stay out of dirty water!
2. What kind of dangerous things could be in the water that could hurt you?

33. Classes in Swimming
• Importance of learning to swim.
• It’s ok to be scared and nervous. Instructors
and lifeguards are at pools to keep you safe.
• Never too old to learn to swim.

34. CPR (High School)
 Can find a class through the American Red Cross or
American Heart Association.
 Can charge more for babysitting services.
 Can save a life!

35. ABCDs of Water Safety
All School Levels:
• Dangerous Marine Life
(purple flag)
• Drains (pool & sewer)
Add to High School
• Driving safety (Car & Boats)

36. Dangerous Marine Life
(purple flag)
● How do we know when there is
dangerous marine life at a beach?
● If we get stung, what should you do?

37. Drain Safety
• Stay away from pool and spa drains. They can cause suction entrapment.
• Stay away from sewer drains. Very dangerous.

38. Driving Safety

44. Driving Safety Video

45. Wrap Up
 YOU CAN DO THIS W/O A LOT OF
MONEY! It takes time, creativity and passion.
 Don’t be afraid to ask for help (community
partners).
 Don’t re-invent the wheel. Steal my stuff!
 Let your program evolve and have fun with it.
You’re providing life safety information that
could otherwise be scary.

46. THANK YOU
Diane Hennessy
405 Pike Road
WPB, FL 33411
561-616-7069
Dhenness@pbcgov.org