South Carolina USMS Clubs Celebrate Adult Learn-to-Swim!
Every year the USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation formally declares the month of April, “Adult Learn-to-Swim Month.” That’s when pools, lakes, and beaches are opening up for spring and summer recreation, and it’s a perfect time to focus on drowning prevention awareness and outreach for adults.
There are more than 18 million swimming pools and hot tubs in the United States, but more than one-third of adults in the United States can’t swim the length of a pool, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 10 people drown every day, and the majority of them are adults.
The CDC identifies a variety of factors that can influence drowning risk, including the inability to swim. Research also shows that the children of adults who don’t know how to swim are at a greater risk of not learning to swim, which increases their chances of drowning.
The purpose of the USMS Swimming Saves Lives Foundation is to raise public awareness about the problem of adult drowning and to serve as a financial and educational resource for programs that provide adult learn-to-swim lessons. Since 2012, SSLF has awarded $430,000 in grants to programs that are providing adult learn-to-swim opportunities. SSLF is proud to support 54 adult learn-to-swim programs in 2018.
Find an Adult Learn-to-Swim program near you!