What: An educational program designed to teach drowning prevention strategies and basic self help skills and rescue in an aquatic emergency.

Why: To help reduce needless drownings throughout Virginia by promoting water safety awareness at the family and community levels.

When: Any spring/summer day in warm weather.

Where: Any medium-sized pool, or other appropriate body of water. Remember that pool size may limit the number of stations and the number of participants.

Who: Everyone, especially those who care for children.

How: This program can be easily covered in 2 to 2 1/2 hours. There are 7 to 9 stations around the pool depending on your local needs. Each station lasts 12-15 minutes. The participants are divided into groups and placed at each station. A whistle blast, or some other signal, is used to signal the groups’ rotation to the next station. This is repeated until everyone has attended all stations. A card can also be stamped to indicate attendance at the various stations. Completed cards can be placed in a drawing box for prizes. Prizes can be safety related and donated by local organizations (e.g., certificate towards the purchase of a PFD, a first aid fanny pack, coupon to receive free swimming lessons, etc.).

I. Introduction/Water Safety Talk

II. Ring Buoy & Backyard Safety Station

III. Improvised Rescue Equipment

IV. Life Jackets (PFD’s)

V. Head, Neck, and Back Injuries

VI. Rescue Breathing

VII. Video Show, Puppet Show (Choose one)

VIII. Boating Safety

IX. Beach Safety