1. Aquatics Centennial Campaign
The {insert org name}
is a Proud Participant
in the American Red Cross
Aquatics Centennial Campaign

2. A Lasting Legacy
In 1914, the Red Cross launched the first national water safety program in the U.S. in response to the mounting death tolls due to drowning.
Under the leadership of Wilbert E. Longfellow, the national drowning rate was cut in half:
1914: 10.4 per 100,000
1947: 5.2 per 100,000
The national drowning rate has been significantly reduced over the decades to an average of 1.13 per 100,000, which is about 3,700 drowning deaths a year. This is unacceptable.

3. Building Awareness: Did You Know?
Drowning is a leading cause of death for children in the United States.
Ten people each day die from unintentional drowning.
Drowning is responsible for more deaths among children ages one to four than any other cause except birth defects.
Among those 1-14, drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death behind motor vehicle crashes.
For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
Beale
It comes as a surprise to many that drowning is a leading cause of death for children in the United States. It’s also the 5th leading cause of unintentional injury death for people of all ages.
Everyday, an average of 10 people die from accidental drowning. Of those, 2 are children under the age of 14.
For kids between 1 and 4, drowning is responsible for more deaths than any other cause except birth defects.
For kids from 1 – 14 years old, drowning is the 2nd leading cause of unintentional injury-related death, just after motor vehicle crashes.
And for every child who dies from drowning, another 5 receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012, 2016)

4. Building Awareness: More Facts
Research shows 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability.1
If parents have no/low swimming ability, there’s a high likelihood their children won’t have good swimming skills:1
78 percent for African-American children,
62 percent among Hispanic/Latino children
67 percent for Caucasian children
African-American children ages 5 to 19 drown in swimming pools at rates 5.5 times higher than those of white children in the same age range.2
79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability.1
Beale
Diving in a little bit deeper. Statistics show that there is a disparity in swimming ability among African American and Hispanic/Latino children and that the fatal drowning rate is higher amongst African American children.
Research shows 64% of African-American, 45% of Hispanic/Latino, and 40% of Caucasian children have little to no swimming ability.
If parents cannot swim there is a high likelihood their children are able to swim
78 percent for African-American children,
62 percent among Hispanic/Latino children
67 percent for Caucasian children
African-American children ages 5 to 19 drown in swimming pools at rates 51/2 times higher when compared to white children.
And here is where your goal to underwrite the cost to teach at least 10 youth to learn to swim is so important:
79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability.
1 - National research study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation and conducted by the University of Memphis and of Nevada, Las Vegas (2017). USA Swimming Foundation
2 - CDC 2014.

5. Building Awareness: Local Facts
Insert local drowning statistics or data that prompted your organization’s participation in the campaign
County-level drowning data is available through the CDC WISQARS website.
Select Fatal Injury; select Fatal Injury Maps 2008 – 2014; complete the webform
More local data may also be available through your state of local health department websites. 5

6. Centennial Campaign Launched in 2014
It is our goal to reduce drowning
by teaching people of all ages to be competent in the water and to know how to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies. 6

7. Click the link to view the video: 7

8. Current Centennial Locations
As of June 20, 2018

9. Centennial Campaign Goals
Teach children and adults to swim in selected communities where drowning rate is above the national average
Motivate kids and families to “come to the water” to become competent in the water and learn about water safety in their community
Create a sustainable ecosystem of water safety to help make communities safer 9

10. Creating the Ecosystem
Swim lessons until minimum water competency
For children
For adults
Develop lifeguards and instructors from the community
On-site water safety education
Integrated into swim lessons
Water safety courses, with hand’s on skills, for parents/caregivers
CPR training for parents/caregivers
Community-based outreach
For partner cities, facilitate teaching WHALE Tales in schools/camps
Increase overall awareness of need to learn to swim and know water safety

11. What Everyone Must Know11

12. Centennial Campaign in [insert org name]
Insert information such as when the campaign started locally and the participating facilities

13. Centennial Campaign in [insert org name]
Insert information about programming and what sets it apart of your typical programming, i.e., scholarships, integrated into camp schedule, etc.
Insert photos of the program in action locally!

14. The Impact in [insert org name]
Insert enrollment activity, anecdotes, quotes

15. National Impact - Progress Report
Launch: Memorial Day 2014 through 6/30/2018
Results
Partners
57 LTP partners communities facilities states
71,432 – sets of swim lessons
8,340 – parents/caregivers water safety and/or CPR
1,609 – Junior Lifeguards
Research
716 – Water Safety Instructors
679 – Lifeguards
With IU-Bloomington, research study is underway on the effectiveness of water safety taught in Red Cross LTS and impact on drowning rate

16. “It has been a wonderful summer
“It has been a wonderful summer.  We have never had this many kids in our swim lesson program.  It makes me happy to see so many kids experience the water! Thanks to the ARC for their generosity in helping to make this happen. So many large families were so appreciative because they could afford to sign all of their children up for classes this summer.” Tammy Hawkins, Aquatic Coordinator, Las Vegas, NV
“I passed the swim test! I felt great and not scared anymore.” Chaz, 6, Orlando, FL
“I’ve never been in 9 feet before because I never knew how to swim until now. Now every time I go to the pool I can hang out with my friends in the deep end.” Elvin, 11, Orlando, FL
Our public loves the scholarships and we are able to reach and teach more children, youth and adults everyday about being safe in, on and around the water!
Patricia Urena, Recreation Supervisor, City of El Centro, CA

17. redcross.org/centennialswim
To learn more, visit
redcross.org/centennialswim