Red Cross Commitment to Lifeguard Training and Drowning Prevention

The following statement regarding our lifeguarding program and drowning prevention efforts may be attributed to the American Red Cross:

"The American Red Cross is proud of our history as a leader in water safety, aquatic science, certification, and instruction since 1914, with more than 300,000 lifeguards trained in the Red Cross curriculum each year.

Gold-Standard, Scientifically Based Lifeguard Training Curriculum

We offer a gold-standard, scientifically based lifeguard training curriculum that is delivered across the country by other entities licensed to use it at their facilities. Our robust, evidence-based aquatics curriculum is developed by our Training Services department in partnership with the American Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council - an external group of nationally-recognized specialists, including a dedicated sub council of aquatics experts who regularly review the curriculum to ensure that the content reflects the latest science and best practices for water safety. In fact, earlier this year, we launched an updated curriculum that reflects the latest advancements in water safety, including new content regarding surveillance and scanning.

The quality of our Red Cross lifeguard training curriculum is a critical component of our nation's aquatics safety. We use a variety of measures to ensure providers understand and follow our curriculum and protocols, including comprehensive training and recertification training using standardized teaching resources, tools, and updates. Our robust Quality Assurance department of Red Cross employees focuses on preserving and promoting high-quality instruction.

Red Cross continually assesses and refines its systems to promote quality training and to maintain curriculum integrity. We use IT system controls to enforce several key training requirements. We also regularly seek feedback from students to help us quickly identify quality issues.

Additional details about our lifeguarding curriculum are available online. Specific lifeguarding topics are addressed in our Lifeguarding Manual and Lifeguarding Instructors Manual.

Investments and Longstanding Commitment to Drowning Prevention

As a humanitarian organization, the Red Cross puts the safety of those we serve at the forefront of all we do. Over the past several years, we have increased our investments in an array of aquatics programs, including our water safety programs and services like our Aquatics Centennial Campaign, which works to reduce drowning rates in locations where those rates are above the national average.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's data, when looking at Centennial programs as a whole, counties with Red Cross Centennial programs saw an overall 10% decrease in drowning rates versus a 6% decrease nationally. Since the Centennial program's launch in 2014, more than 144,000 people have enrolled, and Campaign partners have delivered more than 120,000 sets of swim lessons.

As a community, we all play an important role in keeping those in and near the water safe.

Learn more about swimming and water safety.

As always, the Red Cross remains committed to delivering its mission, including aquatics safety, disaster relief, and blood collections, to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies."

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