The old adage of “sink or swim” may take on new life for Hoosier students, as lawmakers propose legislation to increase knowledge and reduce deaths relating to water.
The goal of a new bill in Indiana–known as the Water Safety Education Bill–aims to require all public schools in Indiana to implement water safety lessons for students. This bill was announced in early December 2024 and works to address the concern of water-related accidents and drownings, specifically amongst young people.
There is a undeniable need for water safety education in the United States as a whole. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death for children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning remains a significant risk, with children ages 1 to 4 being most vulnerable. However, children of all ages remain at risk when not properly instructed on safety. Despite these troubling statistics, many schools across the country haven’t incorporated any form of water safety lessons into a consistent curriculum.
This new bill, which has been promoted by Indiana state lawmakers, would change that by requiring all schools to teach essential water safety skills–covering such topics as the dangers of swimming alone, recognizing water hazards, learning to float, and knowing how to react in an emergency. By including education of water safety in schools, lawmakers aim to give their state’s young residents the knowledge needed to stay safe while in the water.
The bill proposes that water safety be taught at grade levels as early as elementary school. It suggests that these lessons be given in physical education classes or offered as stand-alone sessions by the school. A Junior at Elkhart High School, Lawrence Mom is not opposed to this idea. “I have never been taught how to properly swim.” According to the American Red Cross, only 56 percent of adults know “all five basic skills needed to swim safely.” Being one of the many who has never learned how to swim, Mom adds, “I was always told to be careful while swimming, and my parents always made sure I didn’t go out too far.” While good advice, this new bill hopes to provide more detailed information on what to do in case of an emergency–in much the same way as children are taught what to do in a hazardous fire situation: Stop. Drop. And roll.
In addition to saving lives, the bill has been a way to bring broader awareness of water safety to the communities of Elkhart. Water safety has impacted innumerable families in Indiana, and the new bill represents a proactive approach to reducing the risks associated with water activities. The Water Safety Education bill isn’t just about teaching kids to swim; it’s about providing the tools to be responsible and aware in the water so that Indiana’s children are safer for years to come.
The Water Safety bill will be presented before the Indiana General Assembly in January.
