In the U.S., drowning is a leading cause of death for children and drowning rates are disproportionately higher in diverse communities. In swimming pools, Black children aged 10-14 years old drown at rates 7.6 times higher than white children. Overall, drowning death rates for Black people are 1.5 times higher than rates for white people.
The Red Cross formed the Aquatics Centennial Campaign to help create an ‘ecosystem of water safety’ to reduce drownings in communities that have high numbers of drownings or drowning rates that are higher than the national average. In partnership with campaign sponsors and through local training providers, we help provide swim lessons, junior lifeguard, lifeguard and swim instructor training, and water safety and CPR training for parents at little or no cost in these communities.
As an active member of the Diversity in Aquatics network, we work to educate, promote and support swimming, water safety and healthy aquatics activities for underserved, marginalized and vulnerable populations.
