Amber Smith is teaming up with the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) to raise awareness about water safety and drowning prevention after her 3-year-old son, River, drowned in their family pool in June of 2019. Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1-4, and many incidents occur during non-swimming times. The Smith family experienced a tragic loss when River slipped through a locked fence surrounding the pool while playing outside with his siblings. Despite efforts to revive him, River’s brain was without oxygen for too long.
Adam Katchmarchi, CEO of the NDPA, emphasizes the importance of implementing multiple layers of protection to prevent drowning. This includes barriers, alarms, proper fencing, restricted access, supervision, lifeguards, water competency, life jackets, and CPR training. Smith shares that before River’s accident, the family relied on Puddle Jumper arm floats for their children. She now realizes that these floats provided a false sense of security and put the children in dangerous positions. They are now advocating for swim lessons to be a child’s “First Sport” and urge parents to prioritize water safety.
The NDPA’s First Sport campaign features talking toddlers encouraging parents to enroll their children in swim lessons. While many parents seek swim instruction annually, there is a shortage of lifeguards and water safety is an underfunded public health issue. Smith and her husband, Granger, welcomed their fourth child, Maverick, in 2021, and he began swim lessons at just 8 months old. Despite the initial challenges, Smith believes it is essential to give children the skills they need to survive in the water.
Katchmarchi stresses that there is a stigma surrounding children’s drowning deaths in America, and many parents fear being perceived as “bad parents” if such an accident occurs. Drowning can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds, making it crucial for families to prioritize water safety measures. The First Sport campaign launches on River’s birthday month, providing an opportunity for the Smith family to remember him and advocate for drowning prevention. They believe that River’s intended days were lived out, and he will always be remembered as a 3-year-old.
Through their partnership with the NDPA, Amber Smith and her family are working to educate parents about the importance of water safety and drowning prevention. They hope to prevent future tragedies by promoting multiple layers of protection, swim lessons as a priority, and raising awareness about the risks associated with water activities. The Smith family’s experience with River’s drowning has motivated them to advocate for these initiatives and ensure that other families do not endure the same devastating loss. By sharing their story and advocating for change, they seek to honor River’s memory and prevent similar tragedies from occurring.
