Water is a fundamental element that surrounds us, yet its dangers are often underestimated. In a maritime city like New York, understanding water and its movement has deeper implications. According to Swim Coach Shawn Slevin, founder of the Swim Strong Foundation, situational knowledge of water is essential for water safety in a changing world.
- “Situational knowledge of water” refers to the awareness of potential hazards and risks associated with water, including its depth, currents, and color.
- It involves understanding the environmental and climate factors that can impact water safety, such as storms, flooding, and sea-level rise.
The consequences of not having situational knowledge of water can be devastating. According to the CDC, drowning is now the leading cause of death in infants 1 through 4 years of age. For children 5 to 14 years old, drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death. The CDC also reports that Black children ages 10 to 14 drown at rates 7.6 times higher than white children.
| Age Group | Leading Cause of Death |
|---|---|
| 1-4 years | Drowning |
| 5-14 years | Drowning (second leading cause) |
| 10-14 years (Black children) | Drowning (7.6 times higher rate than white children) |
Situational knowledge of water is not just about swimming skills. It involves understanding the environmental and climate factors that can impact water safety. According to Coach Slevin, “It only takes two inches of water, and two-seconds for a toddler to drown.” This emphasizes the importance of being aware of potential hazards and risks associated with water.
“With a storm of that nature coming in, you never go down. You go up,” said Coach Slevin. “In a house, situational knowledge of water teaches you the safety measures in case of a flood. It’s not just about swimming, it’s about being prepared.”
Situational knowledge of water also involves understanding the impact of climate change on water safety. According to Climate Central, warming oceans are indeed fueling stronger tropical cyclones; they are also increasing hurricane activity. This means that storms are getting stronger due to climate change, and people are increasingly at risk of falling through thin ice.
| Climate Change Impact | Effect on Water Safety |
|---|---|
| Warming oceans | Fueling stronger tropical cyclones and increasing hurricane activity |
| Sea-level rise | Increasing flood risk and coastal erosion |
Coach Slevin teaches in three out of the five boroughs of New York City and believes that the city does not meet the standards of a maritime city. She describes NYC as “an aquatic desert” and notes that only 18 of the 51 council districts have a public swimming pool. This highlights the need for situational knowledge of water to be integrated into daily life, especially in urban areas. The AmNews attended a class at Bushwick High School in Brooklyn, where Coach Slevin was leading a breaststroke boot camp for competitive swimmers. The class was led by World-Record-Holder Merle Liivand, also known as “The Eco-Mermaid.” Liivand spoke to the swimmers and their parents about the importance of coral reefs and the impact of warming oceans on sea-level rise.
“Pick up trash and make a change,” said Liivand. “We can all make a difference by taking action to protect our oceans and waterways.”
Coach Slevin’s students are a diverse crowd, including Memo, a triathlon competitor, Jerry, who enjoys swimming with his son, Rin, who is hoping to join the Marines, and children from elementary to high school, all learning how to swim and identify the threats water poses as extreme weather patterns continue to increase. In conclusion, situational knowledge of water is a crucial aspect of water safety in a changing world. It involves understanding the environmental and climate factors that can impact water safety and being aware of potential hazards and risks associated with water. By integrating situational knowledge of water into daily life, especially in urban areas, we can reduce the risk of drowning and other water-related accidents.
