JOIN US IN THIS JOURNEY!
In 2018, Water Safety USA initiated a process to develop a U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan, a recommendation made to countries by the WHO in the 2014 Global Drowning Report. The initiative is being led by a Steering Committee with representation from national organizations including the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Make the Minute Matter, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, Safe Kids Worldwide, USA Swimming, YMCA and the ZAC Foundation.
The current phase of the project involves establishing six working groups focusing on five evidence-based strategies: 1) life jackets/PFDs, 2) water safety/swimming lessons/water competency, 3) supervision/lifeguards in all relevant settings, 4) rescue/CPR and 5) pool fencing and other barriers and the sixth group will focus on public health surveillance/data to support drowning prevention efforts.
The Steering Committee understands the importance of ensuring the input from a broad spectrum of stakeholders as we move through the development process, and as a result, we have built a number of opportunities for input into the process as the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan is developed.
Individuals can indicate an interest in the following:
Key Informant – supporting the working groups, you are willing to respond to brief surveys to gather information to inform the work on one or more of the six areas of focus - for example, provide information on existing water safety programs that have been evaluated, drowning surveillance activities or state legislation
Reviewer – smallest time commitment, willing to review and comment on draft documents
Keep me posted - just want to receive periodic updates on progress
Working Group Funder - interested in supporting the working group financially
Please share your contact information using the form below and indicate both your areas of interest and level of commitment and we will ensure you are contacted as the work proceeds.
