GARRISON- Drowning is the single leading cause of death among children aged one to four and the second leading cause of injury related death for children to age 14 in the United States.
Rebecca Pearsall of M2O Swim Alliance, found in Garrison, believes that “mindfulness or the practice of being fully present and aware” will drastically reduce the risk of drowning.
Pearsall was in attendance when the Putnam Legislature proclaimed May as Water Safety Month during is regular monthly meeting reminding the lawmakers and some fifty people in attendance: “M20 is not just about water safety. It is also about addressing mental health. Anxiety and stress are challenges for many, especially in environments that can feel overwhelming in water or on land in our daily lives.”
Pearsall believes that drowning and aquatic-related injuries are preventable.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance has created five layers of prevention to avert the loss of a child or adult due to drowning including constant adult water supervision, learning basic swim and water competency skills, use of life jackets around open bodies of water, emergency preparation with CPR containing rescue ventilation, and the use of barriers and alarms.
Members of the legislature applauded the work of M2O in addition to the Putnam Department of Mental Health, Social Services and Youth Bureau, Putnam Parks and Recreation, Philipstown Recreation Department, Philipstown Behavioral Health Hub, St. Basil Academy and the Manitou School in efforts to reduce the risk of drowning and aquatic injuries.
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