CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT...
1. There is no research showing that traditional swimming lessons reduce drowning risk.
2. Teaching traditional swimming causes more drownings than it prevents.
3. Over 50% of drownings are observed by lifeguards. The most recent data shows that the 1 and 2 year old age group is at significantly higher risk of deadly drownings than any other ages.
Database: CDC WONDER, Detailed Mortality underlying cause of death 1999-2017
Criteria: 2012-2017, gender-all, age by years- all, nationwide, race-all, underlying cause codes W 65-W 74
DROWNING MYTHS & TRUTHS
My child is not at risk of drowning because they have taken swim lessons and know how to swim.
Over 55% of children who are lost to drowning already knew how to swim.
Drowning kids show panicked behaviors.
The kids DO panic but it does NOT look like a drowning kind of panic. Typically, the kids that drown either appear calm or like they are playing an underwater game.
Pool watchers always remove the drowning risk.
Over half of all drownings are observed by pool watchers.
Children can drown in only a few seconds or in up to 8 minutes.
It takes between one and two minutes to pass out and then inhale the water that takes our kids from us.
#1 Solution to Prevent Drowning is
The Count to 8™ Method
What is the solution to saving kids?
The most preventable aspect of this tragedy is observed drownings. The solution is:
1. Awareness: It is the #1 killer of kids.
2. Over 50% of drownings are observed.
3. The solution is Count to 8™.
WHAT IS COUNT TO 8™?
The WAY to RECOGNIZE the need to rescue.
1. If the head is immersed NEVER look away.
2. COUNT.
3. If you get to 8, don't hesitate.
4. Rescue Now!
- Use the rescue hook.
- In shallow water, get in to rescue.
- Use the rescue ring.
- Have someone notify a lifeguard.
Surprising Facts
1. A 100 years ago, swimming wasn't a thing. Swimming is a relatively new sport/recreational activity.
2. The first person to swim across the English channel, Captain Matthew Webb, ended up drowning while swimming across the Niagara river. His official job: dare devil.
3. Well over 50% of the time a child is lost, there is at least one perfect life guard on duty. That is why Count to 8 will immediately reduce drowning.
PETER RUFFU
DIRECTOR OF THE DROWNING INSTITUE
As a swim instructor, parent and researcher, Peter Ruffu has dedicated a good portion of his life to water safety. Using his college training in Psychology, Child Development and human physiology Peter began researching drowning rates and discovered horrific statistics that revealed that most drownings are preventable, and that the methods of lifeguarding and swim training in the United States used for the last 50 years, were not ideal and needed to be changed.
The disturbing statistics that he found caused him to spend years confirming and validating his findings. In the end, Peter developed a multi-disciplinary solution that uses brain development, instinctual responses, memory theory, social psychology and evolutionary psychology as well as years of observation at swimming pools, to effectively solve the inadequacies of water safety awareness, lifeguarding and swim training methods. As a result, he has applied the teaching of his new theories to lifeguard and swim instruction programs. As one of the Leading Drowning Expert In The World, Peter’s extensive research is ongoing, but he is ready to share his water safety program with lifeguards, parents, swim instructors, and water programs to insure that more lives are not lost to the ignorance of water safety. Peter’s Count to 8 to be a Happy Hero©™ technique is the #1 solution in preventing drowning, and as its methodology spreads throughout swimming environments, more lives will be saved. To follow and support Peter and his efforts to spread proper water safety, contact him for speaking engagements, training, and any research support.
To follow and support Peter and his efforts to spread proper water safety, contact him for speaking engagements, training, and any other inquiries.
WANT TO LEARN OUR LIFE -SAVING TECHNIQUES?
Speaking
- School
- Community
Training Programs
- HOA's Swimming Facilities
- Employee Safety Programs
- Lifeguard Training Program