SWIM

The biggest inspiration behind SWIM is the memory of two good friends of SS&S Founder, Crystal Washington, who died by drowning just two months apart from each other:  Richard Lee Ragland, III, in June 2017, and LaJuan Bell-Bey in September 2017.  After hearing about other minority children drowning or near-death experiences in events involving pools the same year, Crystal researched and found what became most alarming…

According to the CDC (2014):

~ There are about 4000 drowning deaths a year (approx. 10 per day).

~ Blacks are 2nd highest of all drowning deaths (#1 is American Indians/Natives).

~ An 11-year-old Black child is 10 times more likely to drown than a white child the same age.

~ Swimming pool drowning deaths among blacks aged 5-19 years old are 5.5 times higher than those among whites in same age group.

~ Greatest disparity is for blacks ages 11-12, who drowned in swimming pools at 10 times the rate of whites according to National Vital Statistics System

~ For every child that dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries that cause severe brain damage resulting in long-term disabilities i.e. memory problems, learning disabilities and permanent loss of functioning

Let’s explore a few factors that explain why so many blacks drown.

~ A history of fear of water: African slaves transported across the Atlantic Ocean on slave ships feared being thrown overboard.

~ A history of discrimination:  Black Americans were largely and systematically denied access to public pools in the 1940s and ‘50s.

~ As segregation ended, many white swimmers flocked to private pools and those built in black neighborhoods were too small to swim in—just to stand, splash and stay cool.

~ Many parents had experiences that made them fearful of drowning.

~ Consequently, if a child's parents don't know how to swim, there is only a 19 percent chance that the child will learn.

~ Blacks, especially women, are more concerned about messing up their hair and the effects of chlorinated water on their hair.

~ Income is a big factor—children whose families don't have pools or access to one are far less likely to learn to swim.