New Jersey nonprofit launches pool safety guide aimed at reducing drownings.

A coalition comprising activists, educators, and service organizations launched a Swim Safety Plan in Camden, solidifying New Jersey’s position as the third state to implement a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing drowning incidents. The announcement was made on Wednesday at an event held in the atrial lobby of the Kroc Center, where leaders from various organizations, including the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance and the Northeast Spa Association, gathered alongside families who have endured the loss of loved ones due to drowning.

The coalition, which includes notable water safety nonprofits such as The ZAC Foundation and the Victoria Ercol Memorial Foundation, advocated for a series of initiatives deemed essential to curbing drownings across New Jersey. These initiatives emphasize heightened public awareness, enhanced drowning prevention strategies, increased training for lifeguards amid a national shortage, and expanded funding for educational programs and safety apparatus. Additionally, the plan calls for collaboration among government entities, private enterprise, and service organizations to effectively implement these measures.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in drowning incidents across the United States, reversing a decades-long decline. According to data, an alarming total of 4,500 drowning deaths occurred in the U.S. between 2020 and 2022. In New Jersey, drowning fatalities average approximately 64 annually, underscoring the pressing need for a coordinated response to water safety.

The World Health Organization has urged member states to develop comprehensive water safety plans since a pivotal 2014 report highlighted the importance of such initiatives. Following this global call to action, the U.S. published a National Action Plan in 2023 aimed at improving swimmer education and increasing access to safe aquatic facilities.

Executives and advocates from the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance expressed their commitment to the Swim Safety Plan, with plans to continuously review and adapt the framework as new data becomes available regarding its effectiveness. For many individuals involved, this initiative holds personal significance. Connie Ercol, a speaker at the event, founded the Victoria Ercol Foundation after losing her daughter in a drowning incident at the age of 14 months. Her advocacy efforts now focus on providing swimming safety education and access to affordable swim lessons for underserved communities.

Statistics indicate that minority groups, particularly Black Americans and indigenous tribal communities, face significantly higher drowning rates compared to their white counterparts, a disparity that Ercol and others are keen to address through their initiatives.

The event also featured personal testimonies illustrating the critical need for improved water safety education. Curlie Jackson, who lost her grandson to a drowning incident, has actively worked to promote water safety awareness through memorial initiatives. Having encountered obstacles such as stereotypes and disengagement in her efforts, Jackson noted recent improvements in community access to swim safety education.

As New Jersey embarks on this ambitious Swim Safety Plan, advocates remain hopeful that concerted efforts will lead to significant reductions in drowning incidents and improved water safety practices throughout the state. The collaborative nature of the initiative aims not only to save lives but to foster a culture of swimming safety that reaches all communities.

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