Persuasive Essay On Drowning

One of the first things Life Guard training taught was that drowning is not like the movies. Rare is the occasion when a drowning victim is able to frantically thrash around. Even rarer is when they the strength or time to scream for help. Victims can slip under the water and never come back up. This is not like how many people see drowning. The reality of it is grim. I saw this first hand at a children 's pool party a year ago. I sat on the life guards ' chair, eyes flicking over the twenty some children and a rescue tube across my knees. There was a small child I noticed seemed to be a weak swimmer. They doggy paddled around the edge of the pool, panting and fighting to keep up with the other children. I asked if they needed a life jacket, but the parent told me they were a strong swimmer. It was a gross overestimate of their skills. Less than five minutes later, the child had flung themselves over the edge of the diving board. They did not cry …show more content…
The Red Cross Water Safety Programs are designed to prevent drowning before it happens. The CDC reports the implementation of lifeguards and public safety education have decreased drownings. The Red Cross states that since the beginning of their programs, drowning rates have been cut by 90%. This is in direct contrast to third world countries without any water safety measures. In countries like Thailand or Malaysia, child drowning mortality rates skyrocket. The Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey of 2011 reported that drowning was rampant. In fact, drowning was responsible for 43% of deaths of children 1-4. The privilege of American can explain the difference, but the cause was the innovation of the Red Cross and the YMCA. The Red Cross has taken large steps in preventing child drowning, yet it must continue. Every year more and more American children flock to water. If drowning rates are to continue to fall, families must be aware of the