Consider these sobering statistics from the Centers for Disease Control: six people drown in pools in the United States every day, and for every person who dies due to drowning, four times as many experience a near-drowning. 

The good news is that drowning deaths are almost always preventable; which makes the efforts of our park operators and the level of patron education so important.  As such, despite the industry’s exemplary level of safety, the World Waterpark Association (WWA) considers it an ongoing priority to educate the public about the potential risks to help reduce the rate of drowning and other injuries.  With more information available to the public, more people can be aware of the necessary steps to stay safe while visiting aquatic venues.

In support of the industry and the Association’s commitment to public education, the WWA offers several water safety initiatives and valuable information through their Web site, www.waterparks.org, including:

·    National Water Safety Month, a month-long safety initiative designed to build public awareness of vital water safety practices¹

·    Print-ready Public Service Announcements (PSA) on water and sun safety for distribution in member parks²

·    A Water Safety Kit is available by request to help member parks coordinate and publicize water safety programs

·    An upcoming “Safety Tools” web page, coordinated by the Children’s Drowning Prevention Council (CDPC), to include swim lesson information, signage, notices, and policy and procedure best practices, state code links and more

The “Safety Tools” page, which is under construction and expected to be unveiled soon, is the WWA’s latest effort to support park operators in building safer practices.  The CDPC, formed in 2007 in response to drownings of children under 10 in waterparks, is working toward a forum where best practices in training, hiring, operations and more, can be easily shared between park operators.  One of the Council’s primary goals is to create an environment within waterparks where children will learn to swim and contribute to the safe environment within the park.

By continuing to offer safety-driven programs and valuable on-line information, the WWA hopes that park operators will place a greater focus on educating guests, employees and legislative officials on water safety issues such as preventing drownings and near-drownings, educating guests on their role in maintaining water quality and preventing waterborne illnesses, protecting skin from sun damage and following posted safety guidelines.

¹ World Waterpark Association Web site, http://www.waterparks.org/nawsw.asp

² World Waterpark Association Web site, http://www.waterparks.org/PSAprogram.asp

This article was brought to you by the World Waterpark Association (WWA).  For more information on WWA’s water safety programs, please contact Aleatha Ezra, Director of Park Member Development, at aezra@waterparks.org or (913) 599-0300.