Essential Situational Knowledge of Water Safety Education: Watch Our Live Stream Replay

As we enter fall with warm weather still keeping families near water, and as our school programs begin their new season, we want to share a comprehensive water safety education live stream that every family needs to see.

The Partnership That Makes This Possible

We’re grateful to Historic Neir’s Tavern and owner Loycent Gordon for providing the platform for this life-saving education. Through their Ambassador Program, they demonstrate how community businesses can amplify essential safety messages beyond their usual operations. As Loycent says: “Community Conquers All” – and together, we’re working to prevent drowning through education and awareness.

This presentation was sparked by the tragic drowning death of actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner in a rip current during a family vacation in Costa Rica. His loss reminds us that water doesn’t discriminate based on swimming ability, fitness level, or fame. Knowledge is your best protection.

What You’ll Learn

Our Founder and Executive Director, Shawn Slevin, covers critical water safety topics in this comprehensive discussion:

🌊 Rip Current Survival

• How these deadly ocean currents form and trap swimmers
• Recognition techniques that could save your life
• Escape strategies from someone who survived her own rip current experience

🏠 Home Water Safety

• The “2 minutes, 2 inches” rule every parent must know
• Hidden dangers in bathtubs, toilets, and buckets
• Simple prevention strategies that cost less than $5

🏖️ Beach and Open Water Awareness

• Why ocean temperature matters (30-40°F colder than air!)
• Understanding groins, sandbars, and changing conditions
• How Caribbean storms affect our local beaches

❄️ Ice and Seasonal Safety

• Why thinner ice means more danger
• The 10-minute self-rescue window
• Specific techniques to save your life if you fall through ice

🌊 Flood Safety

• Lessons from Hurricane Ida’s 93 drowning deaths
• Why cars float in just 6 inches of water
• “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” – it could save your life

A Story That Drives Our Mission

During the presentation, Shawn shares her own near-drowning experience as an accomplished competitive swimmer and lifeguard. Even at the top of her game, she was swept out over a mile by a rip current and barely survived to tell the tale. This personal experience drives our understanding that swimming skills alone are not enough – you need situational awareness and knowledge. (We’ll explore Shawn’s full story in an upcoming blog post.)

Watch the Complete Presentation

📺 WATCH THE FULL LIVE STREAM REPLAY HERE

Audio Note: Due to live streaming conditions, there’s a brief echo during the rip current discussion (21:16-25:01). Please listen through this section – the information shared is too critical to miss.

Our Impact: The Numbers Tell the Story

Through Swim Strong Foundation’s programs, we’ve:

• Taught 11,983+ students to swim
• Gave more than $1.9 Million in free swim lessons to families in need
• Graduated 525+ lifeguards
• Helped 68 young people join military service with swimming skills
• Supported 48 individuals who became NYC first responders
• Delivered our “Know Before You Go!®” program to 102,500 students to date

The Challenge We Face This School Year

As we begin delivering our “Know Before You Go!®” programs to schools this fall, we face an $82,000 funding gap. Our educational programs cost just $5 per student to deliver—a price point far below the life-saving value this education provides. This gap represents 16,400 students who need this critical knowledge but whose schools don’t have the resources to fund it.

Every contribution helps:

• $5 educates 1 student
• $25 educates 5 students
• $50 educates 10 students
• $100 educates 20 students

Every 90 seconds, someone dies from drowning in the United States. A strong community support drive could close this gap. When you spread the word about this need, share this video, and contribute what you can, every bit of support moves us closer to reaching these students.

How You Can Help:

• Watch and share this presentation with your network
• Donate any amount to support student education
• Tell your community about the $82K gap we’re working to close

Knowledge saves lives. Your support makes that knowledge possible. (A full campaign to close this gap is coming soon.)

DONATE NOW

Questions about bringing this program to your school or organization? Contact us at shawn.slevin@swimstrongfoundation.org

Swim Strong Foundation reduces unintentional drowning deaths through environmental water safety education and swimming instruction. Learn more at www.swimstrongfoundation.org

Tags: Water Safety, Drowning Prevention, Rip Currents, Home Safety, Beach Safety, Swimming Education, Know Before You Go