Healthy Kids • YMCA Camps and Outdoor Education • YMCA Health and Fitness
Staying safe during swimming season
17 June 2016 - by Nicole Meredith
Every year, an estimated 400,000 people drown across the globe. Among Canadian kids under the age of 4, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death. Only by sharing these tragic statistics can we spread awareness about the importance of water safety - the foundation of YMCA Aquatics programming.
Our Aquatics Staff have the huge responsibility of keeping our aquatics centres safe and fun for your family. Thanks to their rigorous training and our ongoing evaluation and re-certification processes, our staff are qualified to prevent and manage medical emergencies. The Y provides First Aid, CPR, and various other training and certification courses year-round to ensure our community members stay safe while enjoying our aquatics facilities.
In 1931, the Y launched the first nationally recognized aquatics program in Canada. Our courses started with Beginner level swim skills, and went all the way up to Life Saver certifications. We were also the first to develop national standards for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and drown-proofing. Having trained aquatics leaders for nearly 85 years, the Y is more than well-equipped to provide safe spaces for participants in our aquatics programs.
Lifeguards and swim instructors save hundreds of lives every year. Statistics show that the fewest drownings happen in areas supervised by certified lifeguards. What's more, research demonstrates that kids who take swimming lessons are better prepared for recreational water activities, and less likely to get hurt. As part of our commitment to growing healthy, safe communities, the Y offers training courses throughout the year to anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard or swimming instructor.
Help make your community safer by becoming a YMCA-certified lifeguard or swim instructor. Learn more about our Aquatics Leadership Courses and register for yours today.
Our staff
Our Aquatics Staff have the huge responsibility of keeping our aquatics centres safe and fun for your family. Thanks to their rigorous training and our ongoing evaluation and re-certification processes, our staff are qualified to prevent and manage medical emergencies. The Y provides First Aid, CPR, and various other training and certification courses year-round to ensure our community members stay safe while enjoying our aquatics facilities.
How did we get here?
In 1931, the Y launched the first nationally recognized aquatics program in Canada. Our courses started with Beginner level swim skills, and went all the way up to Life Saver certifications. We were also the first to develop national standards for mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and drown-proofing. Having trained aquatics leaders for nearly 85 years, the Y is more than well-equipped to provide safe spaces for participants in our aquatics programs.
The YMCA leaders of tomorrow
Lifeguards and swim instructors save hundreds of lives every year. Statistics show that the fewest drownings happen in areas supervised by certified lifeguards. What's more, research demonstrates that kids who take swimming lessons are better prepared for recreational water activities, and less likely to get hurt. As part of our commitment to growing healthy, safe communities, the Y offers training courses throughout the year to anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard or swimming instructor.
How can I help?
Help make your community safer by becoming a YMCA-certified lifeguard or swim instructor. Learn more about our Aquatics Leadership Courses and register for yours today.
