AGENCY TESTIMONY
Swim instruction programs and their importance in preventing drownings
0:24:37
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84 sec
Commissioner Donoghue emphasizes the critical role of water safety and swim instruction programs in saving lives, particularly for children and communities of color.
- Learn to Swim program served 3,000 children citywide through free classes for ages 1.5 to 17
- Over 1,500 children, adults, and seniors received instruction at indoor recreation center pools
- Urban park rangers conducted tabling at beaches to promote ocean safety and inform about rip current dangers
- Over 530 attendees at NYC Parks youth summer camps received exposure to swim instruction and water safety awareness programming
Sue Donoghue
0:24:37
As we know all too well, water safety and swim instruction saves lives.
0:24:44
Accidental drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury related death among children under the age of fourteen with a disproportionate impact on black and brown youth, which is why we were thrilled to be able to bring back our popular learn to swim program back to our outdoor pools this summer, which served 3000 children city wide through free classes offered in every barrow for Tots and Children aged one and a half to seventeen.
0:25:19
This was in addition to the summer swimming pro instruction and aquatic exercise programming provided to over 1500 children adults and seniors at our indoor recreation center pools.
0:25:34
Our urban park ranges conducted tabling at our beaches around the city with information provided in multiple languages promoting ocean safety and informing the public about the dangers of rip currents.
0:25:49
And over 530 attendees at New York City Parks, youth summer camps, received valuable exposure to swim instruction and water safety awareness programming.
