Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14. According to the CDC, between 2005-2014, there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings (non-boating related) annually in the United States, or about 10 deaths every day. About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger. 

Drowning can happen so fast — sometimes in less than 2 minutes after a person's head goes under the water. That leaves very little time for someone to help.

This is why learning to be water safe is very important and will save so many lives. 

A 2016 Red Cross Survey found that 61% of children, including more than half of all teens, can’t perform basic swim safety skills.

Critical water safety skills, also known as “water competency,” include:

• Stepping or jumping into the water over your head;

• Returning to the surface and floating or treading water for one minute;

• Turning around in a full circle and find an exit;

• Swimming 25 yards to the exit;

• Exiting from the water (if in a pool, exiting without using the ladder).