St. Joseph's Children's Hospital SAFE KIDS
Tampa Coordinator Bevin Maynard:
Active parental/guardian supervision is a critical element to preventing drownings in Hillsborough County. Water safety entails the understanding and practice of four water safety wisdoms - supervision, environment, gear and education. SAFE KIDS recommends adults take turns serving as the "water watcher" - whose sole responsibility is to constantly observe children in or near the water. SAFE KIDS recommends that children should be enrolled in swimming lessons with a certified instructor as early as age four. Water Watcher armband whistles and pledges are available free to the community.

Tampa Fire Rescue
Chief Dennis Jones:
It is a perception that there are two basic outcomes to a drowning emergency, the child lives or dies. Nearly 25 percent of the children that are near drowning victims survive with severe disabilities. To avoid a drowning or near drowning Tampa Fire Rescue paramedics are trained to conduct home water safety awareness surveys. Tampa residents with backyard pools are encouraged to call 813-274-8241 to schedule a survey. A paramedic will come to the resident's house and help the pool owner understand safety precautions that should be taken to avoid childhood drowning.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue:
Sheriff David Gee:
The Hillsborough County Sheriffs office is involved in the drowning prevention campaign because we respond to drowings and near drowings in the county. The sheriffs office sees that many drownings and near drownings could be prevented with barriers and/or active adult supervision. We are hoping this press conference and video and radio public service announcement will inform the public of the importance of drowning prevention, to reduce the number of drowning and near drownings throughout the county. Codes and requirements are available to citizens when building and installing pools in order to make the swimming environment safer. Parental/Guardian active supervision is key when preventing drownings. All parents/guardians should take an active role by getting their child involved in a credible water safety program. By having responsible parents we can create a safer community and work together to prevent drownings.
For information on residential pool safety audits, please call 813-744-5541 or e-mail YeakleyV@hillsboroughcounty.org.

Tampa Police Department
Stephen Hogue, Chief of Police:

Tampa Parks and Recreation
Director Karen Palus:
Guardian/Parental supervision, swimming lessons and water safety education are the best tools to help prevent drownings and near drownings. It is also important to keep a telephone near the pool when children are swimming. Tampa Parks and Recreation offers a variety of low cost or no cost Swim lessons, year-round, at most city pools. Lessons are available for adults, parents with tots, and children ages 5-17.

Hillsborough County Child Protection Team
Regional Medical Director/Tampa General Hospital Emergency Room, Dr. Brooks:
First aid and CPR education and training is key for parents/guardians when trying to help save a child who has suffered a near drowning. All parents/guardians should take time to learn about water safety so they can be informed on how to prevent and react to near drownings. Physical barriers such as pool gates and fences are crucial. Active adult supervision is paramount. It is equally important for parents to have a plan of action ready and accessible in the case a near drowning or drowning occurs at home.

Swim For Life
Mary Batten:
I am the mother of a five-year-old boy who drowned. My son was last seen playing in a friend's back yard by the pool pulling a toy boat on a string. My nine-year-old son found his brother in the pool, the boat still tied to his wrist. My son called for help but it was to late. His brother had been submerged for over 20 minutes and pronounced dead on arrival. Since this tragedy I have pledged a life long commitment to educating parents and children on water safety and drowning prevention. Only through education can we bring awareness to parents that drowning can be prevented.

United Pool & Spa Association President Mike Kelly:
Products become available every year that give home pools better layers of protection. Unfortunately many pool owners don't know they exist or where to turn for this information. Building codes, as well as construction guidelines deal only with current construction. Existing pool owners are not required to be in compliance nor are they aware of new improvements in pool safety. United Pool & Spa Association (UPSA) has prepared a "Home Pool Safety Audit," listing remedies and resources for numerous safety concerns. The goal of this brief publication is to make every pool as safe as it can be without regard to when the pool was originally built.

American Red Cross
Director of Public Relations, Susan Chase:
The Tampa Bay Chapter of the America Red Cross prepares area residents to save lives through its health and safety education and training programs. The Red Cross is one of the community's leading resources in terms of water safety, first aid and CPR training. The Aquatics program accounted for 70% of the Red Cross' Health & Safety Services enrollments for the Tampa Bay Chapter. Tampa Bay Chapter of the Red Cross is dedicated to helping families in need, one by one, every day. Our vision- to save lives, relieve suffering and restore hope at home and around the world- guides every aspect of our services within the Tampa Bay community.

Children's Board of Hillsborough County
Executive Director Dr. Luanne Panacek:
The Children's Board mission is to improve the lives of children and families in Hillsborough County. The Children's Board is committed to preventing drownings in Hillsborough County by funding the activities of and partnering with the Hillsborough Water Safety Team. It is our goal to help reduce the number of preventable drownings in the County by advocating active parental/guardian supervision, and supporting child safety initiatives in Hillsborough County.

Brandon Sports and Aquatic Center
Olympic Swimming Coach Peter Banks:
Parents/guardians must understand that swimming lessons and water safety classes are a life-saving life skill vital to improving a child's quality of life. Parents/guardians should enroll their child in swimming lessons as soon as possible. The longer a parent waits to enroll their child in a swimming lessons program, the more the child begins to feel that learning to swim is unimportant. Children as young as six months old should begin taking mommy and me, water comfort, and water readiness classes. All children four and older should take swimming lessons during the summer and through out the year. The longer a child is involved in a swimming and/or water safety program, the more comfortable they will be with learning and mastering these important life saving skills. Parents/guardians should always supervise children when they are around any type of water.