Photo by Antônia Felipe
July 4, 2024 Story by: Editor
For many cultures, barriers such as lack of access, stereotypes, and cost have historically prevented widespread participation in swim lessons. Recent data from the CDC reveals that approximately 40 million Americans do not know how to swim. This issue disproportionately affects minority populations, with Hispanic and Black communities being the most at risk for drowning.
Alarming Statistics Highlighting Disparities
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| Source: Vital Signs |
The CDC report indicates that 72% of Hispanic adults and 63% of Black adults have never taken a swim lesson, compared to 48% of white adults. These troubling statistics prompted Shannon Chairs to establish the Carolina Swims Foundation in 2016. “My background is in emergency medicine at UNC’s Level I Trauma Center and in my role as a nurse practitioner, I saw far too many drownings,” said Chairs. “At the bedside when a parent’s hope turns to grief with that flatline, it’s unforgettable.”
Community Efforts to Save Lives
Chaires emphasizes that more education, swimming lessons, and easier access to life jackets can save lives. Her nonprofit has provided 750 free swim lessons to low-income children and those in foster care. “Every drowning is preventable,” stated Chaires. “Sadly, there will be another drowning, and it will be a non-white male over five years old if it is an open body of water. If it is a backyard swimming pool, they will be between the ages of 0-4.” She continued, “There have been so many cultures that haven’t had access to swim lessons for complex reasons, but enough is enough. Everyone deserves to learn how to swim.”
The Tragic Reality of Drownings
Shannon Maness, Chief Ranger with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has witnessed the impact of drownings firsthand. “At Jordan Lake, authorities have been responding to drownings much more often than we would like,” he said. Recently, 52-year-old Eduardo Martinez tragically drowned in an area of the lake near Martha’s Chapel Road. Maness noted that four of the most recent drownings at Jordan Lake involved individuals who didn’t know how to swim and were in undesignated swimming areas.
Importance of Safety Measures
Maness stresses the importance of wearing a life vest, especially for those who can’t swim or are not strong swimmers, and for those exploring new parts of the lake. “The lake is very different than a pool. There can be drop-offs from as much as 3 to 10 feet in just a little bit of space. Without being able to see that from the top, you may not be prepared,” he explained.
To enhance safety, the Carolina Swims Foundation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Sea Tow Foundation have installed free life jacket loaner stations around the lake. “We made sure the life jacket loaner stations were written in Spanish and English so they’re accessible for everyone to use,” said Chaires. “They’re free to borrow, and you can wear them all day long, just return them for the next person.” Over 200 life vests are available across nine locations near designated swimming areas and boat ramps at Jordan Lake.
Preventative Measures and Public Awareness
Maness emphasizes that after 29 years, they have never recovered a drowned victim wearing a life jacket. He advises, “Always swim with a buddy, even if you’re wading. Always have somebody watching nearby who knows where you are and when you plan on returning.” He continued, “We want everybody to come home safely. Our national campaign is life jackets worn, nobody mourns. We don’t want anybody to go home having lost a loved one because of something very easily preventable.”
Additionally, Maness cautions against jumping in to rescue someone who is drowning. Instead, he recommends finding a rope or floating device to throw to them. “Often times, we have more drownings as people go in to try to rescue the victim, who may also not know how to swim or be a strong swimmer. When you’re dealing with somebody that’s drowning in the water, their fight or flight kicks in,” he cautioned. “They will try and pull you down trying to get their head above water because they’re trying to survive.”
Legal and Safety Reminders
Jordan Lake officials remind the public that boating follows the same rules as driving regarding alcohol use. It is also legally required for children under the age of 13 to wear a life vest while on a boat, and for there to be enough life vests onboard for every adult. Authorities urge everyone to know their location on the lake and call 911 immediately in an emergency. Even nonfatal drownings can cause permanent brain damage due to a lack of oxygen within a matter of minutes.
By addressing these barriers and implementing safety measures, we can work towards reducing the number of drownings and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to learn how to swim. Source: WRAL News
