As National Water Safety month gets underway, organizations are ramping up swimming and water safety initiatives. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over one-third of adults in the United States can't swim the length of a pool. Approximately 10 people in the country die each day from unintentional drowning -- on average, only two of them being 14 and younger.
The Swimming Saves Lives Foundation, a charitable part of U.S. Masters Swimming, is dedicated to reducing the number of adults who drown by offering outreach, education and financial support. Since 2014, it has awarded almost $335,000 in grants to programs across the country, including $88,000 in 2017 to 38 programs, officials said. The foundation launched its USMS Adult Learn-to-Swim Instructor Certification Program in 2015 and it will visit 24 cities this year.
Longtime swimmer and OxiClean pitchman Anthony Sullivan has joined the U.S. Masters Swimming and its Swimming Saves Lives Foundation's adult learn-to-swim initiative. He received certification from USMS as an adult learn-to-swim instructor, which he will use to help more adults become water safe.
"Adults can learn to swim at any time of the year," Sullivan said. "That's because USMS trains adult learn-to-swim instructors in methods that work best for adult learners. I think everyone deserves to know how to swim."
