Vitality in Water Safety
Summer 2022 was the Start of Many Summer and Communities to Serve
Served Communities
Pensacola, Florida ~ Summer 2022
TBD ~ Summer 2023
Served Communities
Pensacola, Florida ~ Summer 2022
TBD ~ Summer 2023
In partnership with Portland State University, Senior Capstone Project, Effecting Change Capstone
August 2022
August 2022
Here AT VWS
knowing how to swim isn't just fun ... it's a life saving skill
Nationwide studies in 2014, show that nearly half of Americans don't know or are not competent enough swimmer to rescue then self from a risky water scenario. With most drowning accidents happening to children aged 2-7.
Learning how to swim is a life saving motor skill, its vital to the health and safety of children
Nationwide studies in 2014, show that nearly half of Americans don't know or are not competent enough swimmer to rescue then self from a risky water scenario. With most drowning accidents happening to children aged 2-7.
Learning how to swim is a life saving motor skill, its vital to the health and safety of children
And yet, swimming is the 3rd leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide
Factors attributing to the lack of swimming skills include...
OUR Initial Observation, the Beginning of VWS
Part of this project came from my years of experience teaching swim lessons during my teenage years. As a child that grew up in suburban California, I was taught how to swim at the age of three, and continued with lessons until I was about 7 or 8 years of age. Later becoming a lifeguard and teaching my very own class of three year old's how to swim. I have never held any fear or reservations about the water.
Then I moved to the south, or better yet Pensacola Fl. Which might as well be the south since the closest major city is Mobile Alabama. My Navy enlisted husband and I went to our community pool. I practically begged him to go. I jumped in, splashed, swam, and did handstands. While my husband, our cousin, and our cousin's wife all watched from the edge of the pool. Not daring to go past chest depth.
Our cousin's son, Tidus, age three was curious of the water. Ask any educator of early childhood learners or any body that has raised a toddler, and they say the same thing. When parents give off anxious energy, attitudes, behavior children can sense this, which can lead to a negative association with the water.
I picked up Tidus, dusted off my old swim instructor hat, and carried him into the water with as much excitement, positivity, and reassurance as I could. Not even 10 minutes later, Tidus didn't want to swim with anyone else.
Part of this project came from my years of experience teaching swim lessons during my teenage years. As a child that grew up in suburban California, I was taught how to swim at the age of three, and continued with lessons until I was about 7 or 8 years of age. Later becoming a lifeguard and teaching my very own class of three year old's how to swim. I have never held any fear or reservations about the water.
Then I moved to the south, or better yet Pensacola Fl. Which might as well be the south since the closest major city is Mobile Alabama. My Navy enlisted husband and I went to our community pool. I practically begged him to go. I jumped in, splashed, swam, and did handstands. While my husband, our cousin, and our cousin's wife all watched from the edge of the pool. Not daring to go past chest depth.
Our cousin's son, Tidus, age three was curious of the water. Ask any educator of early childhood learners or any body that has raised a toddler, and they say the same thing. When parents give off anxious energy, attitudes, behavior children can sense this, which can lead to a negative association with the water.
I picked up Tidus, dusted off my old swim instructor hat, and carried him into the water with as much excitement, positivity, and reassurance as I could. Not even 10 minutes later, Tidus didn't want to swim with anyone else.
HOW VWS connects to POrtland State University, University Study Goals
Bringing This Mentality Into Every Community
Changing Vitality for Water Safety to Vitality for Child, Youth, and Families
Child Safety and Healthy Development and ability to reach outside the Water