Farah & Farah and the First Coast YMCA are collaborating to raise awareness of the life-saving water safety resources available to the community at the Y. The partnership will help educate and encourage the community to learn how to swim, monitor those in the water, and express the critical, ongoing need for trained lifeguards.
Saving Lives With Education Across Northeast Florida
Announced ahead of National Water Safety Month in May, Farah & Farah is proud to stand as the Official Water Safety Partner of the First Coast YMCA!
“The First Coast YMCA has established itself as a trusted organization that provides accessible resources for everyone to remain safe in and around the water,” said Eddie Farah, Founding Partner at Farah & Farah. “We’re honored to echo their community-first mindset as we collectively strive for a healthier place to live.”
The YMCA Continues To Make a Splash After 100 Years
Introducing group swimming lessons over a hundred years ago, the Y has become one of the largest community-based organizations in the country. Since 1909, the organization has dedicated its resources to teaching invaluable swimming skills and water safety instructions to more than a million children, who are at the highest risk of drowning.
“Learning how to swim and being safe in and around the water is vital for the health and well-being of our community,” said First Coast YMCA CEO and President Eric Mann. “This partnership will help spotlight crucial resources that are available and we’re grateful for Farah & Farah support in helping to promote them as they share in our core values of healthy living and social responsibility.”
What Does the Safety Around Water Program Involve?
The Y has designed eight lessons that involve teaching water safety, which helps decrease the risk of drowning and builds skills and confidence in kids around water. A typical session includes:
- Exercise routines that help kids practice how to acclimate when they’re in any body of water
- Building blocks of two skill sets kids can use if they are accidentally pushed or dropped into water: “Jump, Push, Turn, Grab” and “Swim, Float Swim”
- Thoroughly review water safety topics, such as what to do if you spot someone in the water who needs help
- Practicing the skills they learn through fun and interactive activities
Proactive Water Safety Tips for Parents and Guardians
- Teach kids to always ask permission before heading towards or into any water.
- Appoint an adult in the group to be the Water Watcher. This adult is to keep constant eyes on all the children playing around or in the water.
- Water Watchers: please refrain from using your phones or being distracted by other tasks.
- While water toys are helpful buoys, they are not reliable enough to keep weak swimmers from danger in the water. Please use Coast Guard-approved life jackets, which are certified safety devices designed to protect children.
- Keep and teach all children to avoid drains. Like riptides in the ocean, drains can trap children under the water.
- Please do not allow your kids to play games that involve holding their breath. Children are easily prone to losing consciousness.
Let’s Work Together
With YMCA pools officially open since April 20, there are two ways to be a part of the splash-in during National Water Safety Month: 1. Make a donation today to the YMCA’s Safety Around Water Program and 2. Take the opportunity to sign up for a free swim test at any YMCA location. Those who participate will receive two free guest passes. Click here to learn more.
