Water Safety USA, a consortium of 14 national governmental and non-governmental organizations that provide drowning prevention and water safety programs, has selected its water safety message to promote for 2017. The message is “Designate a water watcher—supervision could save a life.”

The alliance is urging parents and guardians to choose one adult to take on the role of keeping a close eye on children and adolescents swimming or playing in and around water. An ideal water watcher is 16 or older, not under the influence of alcohol or drugs, knows CPR or can reach someone nearby who does, has a working phone, and has a floating or reaching object that can be used as a rescue device.

“If everyone is assigned to water watching, sadly it sometimes means that no one is watching, which can lead to tragedy,” said Tina Dessart, the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash Program Director. “Designating a single person, who is without distractions, is much more likely to ensure safety,” she adds.

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Water Safety USA also stresses that this person is not a substitute for a lifeguard, but a second set of eyes to supervise and add a layer of prevention.

The water watcher should also know what drowning looks like and be able to identify when someone is in trouble, said Tom Lachocki, CEO of National Swimming Pool Foundation.