11th Annu
al National Drowning Prevention Symposium
set for March 7-9, 2012, San Diego, California
Drowning prevention advocates invite Everybody IN to end drowning deaths and injuries.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, July 21, 2011—Drowning prevention advocates and water safety experts will gather for the 11th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium on March 7-9, 2012 at the Hyatt Mission Bay, San Diego, California.
The annual symposium, sponsored by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, attracts aquatic experts, parents, swim instructors, professors, rescuers and researchers who exchange best practices, network and participate in hands-on activities.
“The symposium empowers attendees to create effective drowning prevention programs in their communities,” said Kim Burgess, executive director, National Drowning Prevention Alliance. “We are excited about this year’s education track, location, and the enthusiasm of our host partner.”
The San Diego County Aquatic Council will host the symposium and has set the theme, “Everybody IN.” The “Everybody IN” philosophy reflects the council’s call for everybody to join in the drowning prevention movement, bringing together those who focus on water safety —from the beaches, boats and pools, including rescuers and those who teaching swimming and lifetime water skills.
Presentations will explore topics that focus on Safer Water, Safer Kids/Adults, and Safer Response. The three educational tracks follow the Safer3 Model, which teaches children and adults safer behavior around all bodies of water, including oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, pools and spas. Speakers and presenters will focus on programs, strategies, research, and policy that can make water safer, teach children and adults how to be safer around water and prepare for water rescues, and more.
“This year’s event promises to deliver an inspiring, fast-paced, information-packed two days in “America’s Finest City- San Diego”, said Mary Ann Downing, elected executive of the board of directors, National Drowning Prevention Alliance and planning committee co-chair. “San Diego is the perfect host city, where a wide variety of aquatic safety partners, advocates and volunteers are working passionately to end drowning deaths and injuries,” added Downing, who also volunteers with the San Diego County Aquatic Safety Council. ”We are inviting everybody IN to form life changing, life saving collaborations and generate the power of combined forces- because Drowning IS Preventable.”
Planning committee co-chair Manuel Gonzalez, Aquatic Supervisor III for the city of Chula Vista, Calif. and president of the San Diego County Aquatic Council summed up the event: “It’s about creating and cultivating the next generation of advocates. The symposium provides a forum where people put their passion into action.”
A series of post symposium workshops will be offered on March 10. To register for the symposium, visit www.ndpa.org. Presentation proposals are due August 30, 2011. Exhibitors and sponsors are welcomed and strongly encouraged to attend and help NDPA advance its life-saving mission.
The CDC reports that every day, about ten people die from unintentional drowning. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 14. In 2007, there were 3,443 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) in the United States, an additional 496 people died from drowning in boating-related incidents. Nonfatal drownings can cause brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning. http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Water-Safety/waterinjuries-factsheet.html
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that an average of 5,100 pool- or spa-related submersion injuries were treated in hospital emergency departments each year from 2008 through 2010. From 2006 to 2008 an annual average of 383 pool- or spa-related fatalities involved children younger than 15. More than three-quarters of the reported fatalities and nearly 80 percent of the treated injuries involved children younger than 5. http://www.poolsafely.gov/news-resources/pool-safety-data-reports/
For more information visit www.ndpa.org.
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The National Drowning Prevention Alliance is a volunteer-driven 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization founded in 2004. NDPA members are dedicated to preventing drowning for all age groups in all bodies of water through public education, advocacy and strategic partnerships. The public is invited to join by visiting www.ndpa.org.
The San Diego Aquatic Safety Council (SDCAC) is a non-profit organization designed to further aquatic programs within the county. The San Diego Aquatic Safety Council strives to ensure that there are zero fatal drownings in the region. The SDCAC embraces the PoolSafely: Simple Steps Save Lives message, and promotes the educational component of the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act at many events across the county.
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