Swimming Saves Lives

USMS Logo FINAL3dSwimming Saves Lives is a volunteer-operated program designed to teach non-swimming adults how to swim. Research shows that adults aspire to swim more than any other fitness activity, yet, according to the Center for Disease Control, 37% of American adults cannot swim the length of a pool. Every day, about 10 people die from drowning. The majority of unintentional drowning victims are adults. Drowning ranks 5th among the leading causes of unintentional injury death in the United States. Research also shows that the children of adults who don’t know how to swim are at a greater risk of not learning how to swim, which in-turn increases their risk of drowning.

Adult drowning is a problem we can solve—teaching adults to swim is the mission of the Swimming Saves Lives Foundation. Our hope is that once an adult either learns to swim or improves their swimming skills, they will have the confidence and desire to continue swimming in a Masters Swimming program and experience the lifelong benefits of swimming.

Proclamation - Adult Learn to Swim Week for April 2016Starting in 2014, USMS along with a number of Governors throughout our country, proclaimed April as Adult Learn to Swim Month. This year is no exception! Indiana Governor Michael R. Pence has proclaimed the 1st week in April as Adult Learn to Swim Week. In support of this initiative, several GRIN programs are offering free adult swim lessons during the month of April. Check out the following swim lesson schedules offered by area Masters programs and help spread the word.

Free Lesson Programs Offered in April

Paid Lesson Programs Offered Year-Round

If you are interested in starting your own Swimming Saves Lives program or would like to become a Certified ALTS Instructor, contact Lisa Brown for more information. There are also a number of resource guides for your review, including the SSL Instructional Document, SSL Planning Guide, and SSL Registration Form.

Get involved by volunteering to teach adults to swim. It’s never too early OR TOO LATE to start swimming!

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