Community Water Safety Workshop Plan

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, participants will be able to:

• Describe who is most at risk of drowning in the U.S. and the access barriers behind the gaps, using CDC data.
• Recognize the quiet signs of a swimmer in trouble.
• Practice helping from land: shout, call 911, then reach or throw something that floats.
• Explain why CPR training with rescue breaths matters for drowning, and where to get it.
• Leave with one concrete next step: a swim lesson, a CPR class, or a life jacket check.

Materials

• Projector or printed copies of the key facts
• A rope or tape line on the floor (the water's edge), a pole or broom handle, a rope, and something that floats (a ring buoy, cooler or empty jug)
• Two or three Coast Guard-approved life jackets in different sizes for the fit station
• Printed lists of local swim lessons (including adult classes) and CPR classes you looked up in advance
• Copies of the Recognize Drowning and Reach or Throw, Don't Go posters, the Adult Swim Lesson Guide and the Emergency Action Plan
• A bilingual co-presenter if your group speaks another language

Lesson steps

1. Welcome: water in our lives 10 minutes

   Ask each person to tell a neighbor one place their family goes near water: a beach, a park lake, a pool, a family trip back home. Say the goal: Everyone leaves with one next step. Don't ask who can or can't swim.

2. Talk: who drowns, and why it isn't anyone's fault 10 minutes

   Share three or four facts from the Background section. Name the barriers CDC describes (no nearby pool, cost, history) and stress that skills and safety habits can be learned at any age.

3. Activity 1: Spot the swimmer in trouble 10 minutes

   Describe three swimmers out loud and have pairs decide who needs help. Don't show videos of real drownings.

   • Swimmer A is upright in the water, head tilted back, mouth at the surface, not moving forward and not calling out. Needs help now.

   • Swimmer B is yelling and splashing, waving an arm. In trouble too (aquatic distress); may still be able to grab a rope or ring.

   • Swimmer C is floating face down and not moving. Needs help now; call 911.

4. Activity 2: Reach or throw, don't go 15 minutes

   Use the line on the floor as the water's edge. Volunteers take turns as rescuer and swimmer. Nobody crosses the line.

   • Shout for help and point at one person: You, call 911.

   • Reach: stay on solid ground behind the line and hold out the pole. If you feel yourself being pulled in, let go and start over.

   • Throw: toss one end of the rope, or the floating item, to the swimmer. Hold on to your end of the rope and pull them in.

   • Discuss: Why not jump in? People trying to rescue others can drown. Only trained rescuers go in, with a flotation device.

5. Activity 3: Next-step stations 20 minutes

   Set up three tables. People visit at least two and leave with one written next step.

   • Swim lessons (kids and adults): your printed local list, plus national locators: the YMCA, Red Cross Learn-to-Swim providers, USA Swimming's Find a Team & Lessons map, and U.S. Masters Swimming's adult instructor search.

   • CPR: your printed list of CPR classes. In New York City, groups of 15 to 50 can ask the FDNY Mobile CPR Training Unit for a free hands-only class at least 14 days ahead.

   • Life jackets: try one on and do the fit check: buckled, arms up, a partner gently lifts at the shoulders, and it doesn't ride up over the chin or face.

6. Assessment and wrap-up 10 minutes

   Ask the quick check questions below. Then each person says their next step to a neighbor. Hand out the posters and guides.

7. Take-home

   The Recognize Drowning poster, the Reach or Throw, Don't Go poster, the Adult Swim Lesson Guide and the Emergency Action Plan.