YMCA program helps children stay afloat

Jefferson City firefighter Jordan Holland assists Brylee McComas with a water safety technique Tuesday during a second-graders swim/water safety class at the Knowles YMCA.
Jefferson City firefighter Jordan Holland assists Brylee McComas with a water safety technique Tuesday during a second-graders swim/water safety class at the Knowles YMCA.

The Jefferson City Area YMCA is offering a "Safety Around Water" program for all first- and second-graders attending their summer camp.

The program is a nationwide initiative through the YMCA geared toward reducing drowning rates.

Unintentional drowning is the second-leading cause of death for children ages 5-9, according to the CDC.

"It's a mental health issue," YMCA Aquatics Director Ronnie Phelps said. "We have this nationwide initiative to do what we can to bring swim lessons to as many children as possible."

Formal swim lessons reduce the rate of drowning by 88 percent, according to a 2009 University of Memphis study. The lessons not only teach the children how to swim, but also about safety around water.

"We educate them about behavior around the water and making good choices," Phelps said. "One of the first things we teach them is to always ask permission before they get in the water."

The program consists of basic swimming skills such as going underwater, blowing bubbles, floating, and gliding back and forth. It also teaches children to know the swimming pool wall is a source of safety through a "jump, push, turn, grab" technique.

Certified lifeguards and swim instructors work in the water with a group of children during the personalized, hands-on lessons.

Phelps said this is the first year the local YMCA has held the program, and it is targeted for first- and second-graders for a reason.

"We know statistically that if they don't learn to swim by second grade, then they most likely never will," Phelps said.

The Jefferson City Fire Department has partnered with the YMCA to help out during the lessons.

JCFD water rescue team member Colt Doman said the Fire Department got in contact with the YMCA about a month ago.

"Our mission in general is to protect people's safeties and well-being," Doman said. "We like to get in on the prevention side of things while we can, and this was a great opportunity."

Doman said they get in the water and help teach the children how to float and work on their basic swimming strokes.

"It's a lot of fun," Doman said. "All of the people on the water rescue team have an interest in this kind of thing."

So far, the reception of the program has been positive - besides initial complaints about the water being too cold at first, Phelps said.

"The kids absolutely love it," Phelps said. "They are always asking if they get to come back and do it tomorrow."

The lessons are 30 minutes each day, and Phelps said they work start to finish. Along with the four days in the water, they have a classroom lesson about water safety, life jackets, and safety around water.

The program runs the first two weeks of June for current camp participants. The YMCA offers swim lessons all year.