Water Safety Festival Tackles Drowning Disparities One Splash At a Time

Heading Into Summer Trauma Season, Diversity in Aquatics, Howard University, and Safe Kids Worldwide Join with Child Safety Advocates and Partners to Educate Families and Raise Awareness for Water Safety

Water Safety Festival Tackles Drowning Disparities One Splash At a Time

Washington, D.C. (May 19, 2024)— As part of an effort to tackle drowning disparities, raise awareness, and educate families in the DMV area in advance of the summer trauma season, nationally-recognized organizations, local groups, safety advocates, and other partners came together today in Burr Gymnasium at Howard University for a water safety festival that included in-water lessons and out-of-water education. 

Members of the Men’s and Women’s Swim and Diving Team at Howard University, the only one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with an NCAA Division I Swim and Dive program, led kids, parents, and community members in water and non-water activities, including a scuba demo, underwater hockey/rowing, and “learn to swim” games. 

Over 4,500 people drowned in the United States from 2020–2022, and drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4 years. What’s more, water safety is not equal across all communities. Highest-risk communities often face barriers such as access to water safety resources, culturally relevant teaching and outreach, and systemic barriers contributing to inequities in water safety outcomes.

“Drowning death rates for Black people were 28% higher in 2021 than in 2019. Groups already at higher risk saw the greatest increases in deaths, including young children and older adults of all races and ethnicities and Black people of all ages. This water safety festival celebrates the transformative power of community involvement and support,” said Dr. Miriam Lynch, executive director of Diversity In Aquatics. “Like ripples caused by a single drop of water, each contribution to our cause can create a ripple effect, spreading positive change far and wide.”

“We know learning basic swimming and water safety skills can save lives. However, access to this life-saving education is not equal across all communities,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide. “We’re excited to join Diversity in Aquatics and other like-minded partners to introduce the joy of water recreation and water safety education to all families, including those in communities that have been underserved for too long.”  

Taking place at the historic Howard University Burr Gymnasium with the Howard University Swim and Dive Team, which recently made historic news as the only swim team on the cover of Sports Illustrative after its historic Men’s Team Conference win in 2023. The director of Howard Swim and Dive stated, "Howard University Swimming & Diving is committed to water safety advocacy. We are excited to host this important event and have our team engage with the community."

The event also included Sophia Hasan, who lost her brother, Abrar, to a tragic drowning incident. Hasan is partnering with Safe Kids Worldwide and Diversity in Aquatics to provide scholarships to help kids in the most underrepresented and underserved communities learn to swim.

“Abrar was like a big kid himself at heart, and I know he would be so proud to know that his legacy is helping kids,” said Hasan. “What we leave behind us is bigger than us. If we can make our tragedy into something that could help others in our local D.C. communities understand the importance of water safety and get the necessary skills, then our time was useful.” 

About Diversity In Aquatics

Diversity In Aquatics (DIA) is a non-profit organization promoting equitable access to swimming, water safety, and health aquatic activities for historically marginalized, underserved, and vulnerable communities. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, DIA strives to eliminate barriers and create inclusive spaces in aquatics. Learn more at diversityinaquatics.org 

About Safe Kids Worldwide

Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to reduce unintentional injuries to children ages 0-14 and build equitable and sustained systems that support injury prevention. Safe Kids works with strategic partners and an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the U.S. to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, sleep-related deaths, falls, burns, poisonings, and more. Learn more at safekids.org.