Drowning Is a Leading Cause of Child Death. This Program Is Changing That.

A summer afternoon splashing in a pool or lake should be a joyful occasion, but far too many children haven’t received proper swimming lessons or water safety instruction. Drowning remains one of the leading causes of death for children. 

These deaths are largely preventable, however, and two pediatricians in Florida collaborated on a program to dramatically reduce the risk of drowning among local children. 

Dr. Ceanna Perkins, MD, and Dr. Palack Agrawal, MD, received a 2024 Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) grant to partner with local organizations in Hollywood, Fla., and expand access to swimming lessons and water safety education. 

A devastating statistic informed their focus on water safety: Florida has one of the highest rates of drowning deaths in the U.S. It also has more residential swimming pools than any other state—roughly one pool for every 14 people—not to mention its proximity to large natural bodies of water. 

More than 30,000 children under the age of 18 live in family friendly Hollywood. It’s a diverse suburb between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, with 40% of the residents identifying as Hispanic and 17% as Black—groups that have historically been at higher risk of drowning due to systemic factors like a lack of access to swimming lessons and public pools. 

Swimming Lessons and Free Suits 

Drs. Perkins and Agrawal took a holistic approach to drowning prevention by addressing a range of barriers. In partnership with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the Hollywood Police Department’s Police Athletic League (PAL), Driftwood Community Pool, and YMCA Hollywood, they handed out 95 swimsuits so kids could comfortably get in the pool. Along with PAL, they provided free swimming lessons to 31 children ages 9 to 17 from at-risk backgrounds. They made lessons accessible to many more by creating a water safety program at Driftwood Community Pool that offers swimming lessons for $3.75 a session. 

Parents are a critical partner in water safety, so the doctors made sure to include them in programming as well. Multilingual educational brochures that emphasized the importance of water safety and CPR training were distributed throughout the community at in-person programs. 

Water Safety Builds Water Confidence 

More than 100 caregivers responded to a post-education survey, and the results were dramatic. Ninety-two percent correctly answered at least three out of five questions, 98% reported learning at least three water safety tips, and 94% felt more inclined to learn CPR, meeting the program’s benchmark for success. 

Even more moving were the personal stories the doctors heard while visiting Driftwood Community Pool. One mother said her son, who is autistic, would not get into a pool before the swimming lessons. The program helped him become comfortable in the water, which built his confidence both in the pool and beyond. 

Other children said they were excited about learning how to swim and wanted to continue taking lessons. What’s more, older kids said they felt secure enough in the water to save themselves or even help other people who were struggling. 

When a child learns how to enjoy water safely, the effect isn’t hypothetical. One girl shared exactly how real it is: When she was younger, she almost drowned. Through these lessons, she finally learned how to swim. Not only was she no longer afraid, but she was actually happy to spend time in the water. 

This is the impact of supporting the American Academy of Pediatrics. Our work saves lives—and helps children experience the world more fully, with enthusiasm and joy.