Nearly 200 children gathered at Tulane University's Reily Center on February 4 to participate in a comprehensive water safety program, marking a significant expansion of a initiative led by the Off the Field National Football League Wives Association and the American Heart Association.
The event, which featured Olympic medalist Cullen Jones and provided both swim training and Hands-Only CPR education, addresses a critical public health issue: drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4 in the United States, with minority communities facing disproportionate risks. According to the YMCA, 64% of African American children and 45% of Hispanic/Latino children have little to no swimming ability.
The program's significance extends beyond basic swim lessons. Dr. Hagar Elgendy, Vice President of the Off the Field NFL Wives Association, emphasized the initiative's dual focus on necessity and passion, aiming to prevent drowning-related deaths in NFL communities. The collaboration includes the USA Swimming Foundation, YMCA of the USA, and plans to expand to all 32 NFL markets, following a successful pilot in Cincinnati last May.
The initiative addresses a crucial gap in water safety education: if a parent cannot swim, there is only a 19% chance their child will learn to swim, according to the USA Swimming Foundation. The National Institute of Health reports that just one month of swimming lessons can reduce drowning risk by 88%, underlining the program's potential impact.
Beyond swimming skills, the event integrated vital CPR training, addressing another critical survival factor. The American Heart Association reports that 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside hospitals die, partly due to delayed CPR response. The organization aims to double survival rates by 2030 through initiatives like this that combine water safety with emergency response education.
