Drowning prevention and swim education took center stage at Wild Rivers water park in Irvine on June 25, as more than 100 children participated in the seventeenth annual World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™. Sponsored by MemorialCare, the only Orange County health system with a dedicated children’s and women’s hospital, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital, the event equipped young swimmers with essential, life-saving skills.
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4, and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5–14, yet it’s entirely preventable. Drowning can happen silently and in as little as 20 to 60 seconds. According to a study by the American Red Cross, 56% of kids ages 4–17 lack the basic swimming skills needed to save themselves in a water emergency.
“It’s easy to underestimate how quickly a fun moment in the water can turn dangerous, especially for young or inexperienced swimmers,” says Tanya Dansky, M.D., associate chief medical officer, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “Drowning often happens during everyday moments when our attention shifts, which is why it’s so important for parents to start swim lessons early, stay within arm’s reach around water, and learn CPR.”
Teaching children to swim and be safe around water is more than a fun activity, it’s a critical life skill that provides a lifelong foundation for drowning prevention. A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that formal swim instruction can reduce the risk of drowning by up to 88% among children ages 1–4. Experts recommend starting swimming lessons as early as age 1.
The swim lesson taught at Wild Rivers, led by Aqua-Tots, introduced foundational water safety skills, including floating on the back, proper breathing, submerging and blowing bubbles, basic strokes, and safe entry and exit from the pool.
Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention team was also on-site, sharing summer safety tips on water safety and fireworks safety, and handing out giveaways such as sunscreen, sunglasses, bags, and educational materials for families.
“Our goal is simple, to keep kids safe and out of the hospital, and prevent tragedies before they happen,” says Jen Rodriguez, injury prevention coordinator, Injury Prevention Program, Cherese Mari Laulhere Child Life Program, Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital. “An infant or child’s lungs can fill with water in seconds, even in small amounts of water like a bucket or bathtub. That’s why it’s critical to always have a designated ‘Water Watcher,’ an adult whose only job is to supervise, without distractions.”
MemorialCare is committed to promoting water safety and ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn essential swimming skills. Events like the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson play a critical role in preventing drowning and fostering a safer community. Proceeds benefit the Jasper Ray Foundation’s drowning prevention efforts.