A Letter from Our Founder: New CDC Drowning Statistics

Dear Big Blue Swim School families,

As Water Safety Month came to a close, I urge you to keep water safety at the forefront of our minds throughout the year. The CDC recently reported that drowning not only remains the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4, but the number of drowning deaths is on the rise. Drowning increased by 28% among children ages 1–4 in 2022 compared to 2019. Some experts suggest this increase may be due in part to disrupted or limited access to swimming lessons for children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is important to be mindful of layers of protection that can help prevent drowning deaths, particularly as most young drowning victims were not expected to be near or in the pool at the time of drowning. In addition to critical measures such as close supervision around the water and secure fences around pools, formal swim lessons can help reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC recommend most children should be in a formal swim lesson as soon as they are developmentally ready.

At Big Blue, we believe that safety around water is of utmost importance, and we're here to support you and your family every step of the way. Our goal at Big Blue is not only to teach swimming and water safety skills, but also to create a community that supports your child's ongoing learning and progress. I am so proud to share that this May, we taught an astounding 130,000+ swim lessons, helping children across the country learn essential, potentially life-saving skills.

Thank you for entrusting us with your children's swim education. Together, let's make this summer a memorable and safe one for all our young swimmers.

Warm regards,