Advocates for Communities Learning Aquatic Safety Skills (A-CLASS) of Lake County Florida, Inc. : Home

Advocates for Communities Learning Aquatic Safety Skills (A-CLASS) of Lake County Florida, Inc.
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NATIONAL NEWS FOR DROWNING PREVENTION

Former US Secretary of State James Baker speaks in support of legislation intended to prevent accidental drowning in the United States (Washington, DC – May 2, 2006) James A. Baker, III, Secretary of State under former President George Bush, and daughter-in-law Nancy Baker are supporting new legislation expected to be introduced shortly in connection with Safe Kids Week that would offer incentive grants to states that pass laws requiring safeguards to prevent drowning, drain entrapment and entanglement in swimming pools and spas.

Baker’s granddaughter, Virginia Graeme Baker, died four years ago when she became entrapped in the drain of a spa. It took several adults to help pry her free from the force of the drain, but it was to no avail. She had drowned. This tragedy occurred at a graduation party that was well supervised by scores of adults.

Pool Entrapment is a serious concern. Be sure your children are swimming in a pool that has been inspected for entrapment hazards. If it is your pool, add safety mechanisms that will reduce the risk of entrapment, if they are none already in place. For more information go to http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/ , www.safekids.org or http://www.CPSC.gov

Drowning is a leading cause of death for children aged 0-14 and the number one cause of death for children 0-4 in Florida. Teen-age drowning is commonly due to risky behavior, drugs & alcohol. Death by accidental drowning is on the increase in the 65 and older age group.

DROWNING IS PREVENTABLE

Make “Layers of Prevention” a way of life for you & your family

Supervision: is the most powerful life saving tool, yet is often the first layer to fail. when water is near; stay focused and within arms reach. if you can not find your child, check the water first.
Barriers: as many as possible between the water and those you wish to protect. Maintain fences and self latching gates that restrict access to the water. When you come into the house keep doors leading to the water locked with lock elevated out of the reach of children
Alarms: for doors, the water, even people that will alert you of unexpected opening, or entry into the water
Life jackets: inflatable wings & toys are not life saving quality. Children under the age of 13 are required to wear Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets when on board a water craft. Don’t just pack it wear the life jacket !!
Aquatic Skills: learn more about aquatic skills for you & your family by calling the YMCA or city pool.
CPR: take a CPR class, it could save a life
911: call 911 immediately. minutes, even seconds count!!

A-CLASS of Lake County Florida, Inc

Advocates for Communities Learning Aquatic Safety Skills
“Making a Difference in Drowning Prevention”

VISION
To reduce the rate of drowning injury & death in Lake County Florida

MISSON STATEMENT
A-CLASS of Lake County Florida, Inc. is a community based organization established to promote drowning prevention awareness & education to the citizens of Lake County.

GOALS
·         To provide public awareness campaigns, drowning prevention education & instruction through partnerships with schools, government and community agencies.
·         To develop new and/or implement existing drowning prevention programs.
·         To research drowning death and injury data, with on-going data collection to measure and evaluate changes.

Board of Directors:
Chairman Charles McDaniel - Principal, Fruitland Park Elementary School
Vice-Chairman LT Peyton Grinnell - Lake County Sheriff’s Dept
Board Members
Deputy Bud Anthony – LC Sheriff’s Dept (Water Authority)
Deanna Chapman – Lake Sumter EMS
Chief Jack Fillman – Lake County Fire/Rescue
Executive Director Catherine Thomas
Resident of Lake County who suffered personal tragedy in the drowning death of her 14 month old nephew, passionate that no family should suffer that kind of loss, when drowning is preventable
Deputy Director: Jennifer Landfair
Previous Athletics & Aquatics Supervisor for City of Leesburg. Currently Recreation Supervisor for the City of Mount Dora who has been involved in water safety education throughout her career. .
Secretary / Treasurer: Marybeth Harvey, Book Keeper and mother of near drowning survivor, who had aquatic skills that saved her life.
Data Management: Kevin Lenhart, MHS, Program Operations Administrator, Lake County Heath Dept and Advocate of Drowning Prevention.

Lake County Statistics

NOTE: Sawtooth trends in drowning deaths in Lake County, Florida.

The CPSC estimates that for every drowning death, 4 others are admitted to hospitals with a varied outcome. Many suffer severe disabilities due to submersion injuries.

Nationally, there has been alarming trends in reports of submersion injuries associated with landscaped water features. Although we do not have this specific data for Lake County, the trends should be taken into consideration.

For more info contact us

P.O.Box 508 Fruitland Park, FL 34731 or email info@a-class.org

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