ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The YMCA and Atlanta’s Parks and Recreation are creating the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition to combat drowning.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, there are over 100 drowning deaths a year in the state.
“Every summer, we wait for the phone call: the one where EMS that they’re in route with a drowning,” said Dr. Sarah Lazarus, an ER doctor for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, another organization joining the coalition.
According to the CDC, more children ages one to four die from drowning than any other cause of death and it’s the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages five to 14.
“According to the American Academy of Pediactrics, the risk of drowning can be reduced by 88% if kids get swim lessons between the ages of 1 and 4,” said Justin Cutler, the Parks and Rec Commissioner.
ADVERTISEMENT
That’s why the YMCA, the City of Atlanta’s Parks and Rec, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and the Red Cross are forming to create the Atlanta Water Safety Coalition.
“Being the best place means children are safe. And they’re safe around water, they’re safe around rivers, they’re safe around lakes,” said Cutler.
The coalition will work together to provide accessible swim lessons across the city-and teach people about water safety.
“Teaching children to be safe around water is not a luxury. It is a life-saving necessity,” said Lauren Koontz, the CEO of the YMCA of Metro Atlanta.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, the two age groups most at risk of drowning are children under four and young men.
Copyright 2023 WANF. All rights reserved.