Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
Home
  • Playground
  • Surfacing
  • Parks
  • Athletics
  • Aquatics
  • Play
  • Playgrounds Make a Great Place for a Play Day
  • Critical Lightning Detection
  • Rules of the Red Rubber Ball Book Review
  • 3 Overlooked Benefits to Building a Playground in Your Community
  • Play Spaces for All Abilities
  • AOAP Thank you

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Aquatics
  3. Water Safety
  4. Waterplay and Safety

Waterplay and Safety

Water Safety
June 20, 2016
Profile picture for user Juliene Hefter
By Juliene Hefter on
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print
2210
Child playing in the water

With the summer upon us, there are so many things to be excited about.  Warm weather is one of them, and with that warm weather comes lots of water activities that we find families participating in.  Water play is one of the most exciting things for anyone to take part in. Partly due to the fact that anyone can participate in some sort of water activities or play, and because it is a great activity to do to cool off during the summer months.

With the warmer weather, water play safety in and around any body of water is of the utmost importance. Water safety begins with educating both children and adults regarding how to be safe in and around the water. The first step in water safety is a good drowning prevention education program. The great thing about this is that there are many programs out there that provide the important water safety message and provide great resources as well.

One of those programs is the RESPECT the Water Drowning Prevention Campaign that was developed through the Association of Aquatic Professionals. The Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP) is proud to offer free drowning prevention resources on their website, www.aquaticpros.org, to aquatic professionals worldwide including the innovative water safety program — RESPECT. This program has modules created especially for children, instructors, and supervisors/caregivers. Learn more about this free program by visiting AOAP's Drowning Prevention Education page.

Our approach is as simple as RESPECT: 

  • Recognize - recognize the signs of non-swimmers, tired swimmers, distressed swimmers and potentially unsafe situations. 
  • Education - learn what factors can lead to drowning. 
  • Supervision - direct, constant supervision is key.
  • Physical barriers - provide fencing, safety covers, alarms, and life jackets. 
  • Expectations - understand what to expect from the aquatic environment and the body's response, know your limits. 
  • Communicate - warn and inform, communicate the dangers that are present in, on and around the water. 
  • Training - learn to swim and how to respond to an emergency.

The Association of Aquatic Professionals is committed to helping prevent drownings nationwide. 

We believe with a little education and training, learning to RESPECT the water and prevent drowning tragedies is within our reach. 

There are three (3) parts to the RESPECT program that may be downloaded and utilized within your communities to educate children and caregivers about water safety. The RESPECT the Water Drowning Prevention program instructor guide and presentation outline assists those providing the program with the tools necessary to implement the program in their communities. 

Documents

Promotional Materials and Videos for Program Flyers and Additional Videos

  • RESPECT the Water Drowning Prevention Flyer
  • Download the Redwoods Group Video – Hollywood vs Reality to show during the Caregivers portion
  • RESPECT the Water Drowning Prevention Program Video

Promotional Materials – Spanish

  • RESPECT the Water Drowning Prevention Program Flyer – SPANISH version
  • RESPECT the Water Drowning Prevention Program 11×17 Poster – SPANISH version

RESPECT Program Classroom Materials

AOAP RESPECT Presentation – Caretaker Portion

AOAP RESPECT Presentation – Caretaker Instructor notes

AOAP RESPECT Presentation – Student Portion

AOAP RESPECT Presentation – Student, Instructor notes

RESPECT Program Classroom Materials – SPANISH VERSION

AOAP RESPECT Presentation – Student – Spanish VersionDownload

AOAP RESPECT Presentation – Caretaker – Spanish VersionDownload

The final portion of the program is a video that promotes water safety and provides valuable information to both children and caregivers. 

PSAs 

R = Recognition – PSA
E = Education – PSA
S = Supervision – PSA
P = Physical Barriers – PSA
E = Expectations – PSA
C = Communication – PSA
T = Training – PSA

In addition to the AOAP RESPECT the Water Drowning Prevention Program there are many other programs promoting drowning prevention.  Some of those programs are: 

  • SafeKids Worldwide
  • NDPA (National Drowning Prevention Alliance)
  • Drowning Prevention Foundation
  • Safer 3 Drowning Prevention

Add new comment

About text formats

Plain text

  • No HTML tags allowed.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
Profile picture for user Juliene Hefter
Juliene Hefter
Published 6 years ago
Last updated 3 months ago
2210
2
min read
A- A+
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • envelope
  • print

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

More About

Mar 01, 2003
Water Safety

Water Woes

Playground Magazine
Jun 18, 2021
Water Safety

Tips for Pool Safety This Summer

PGP
Jun 11, 2017
Water Safety

Drownings can be quiet and quick. Here's how to prevent them.

PGP
Aug 13, 2019
Water Safety

Water Park Dangers You Couldn't Even Think Of

Susan Saurel
Jan 01, 2003
Water Safety

Updating Aquatic Facilities Can Be Like Starting Over

Playground Magazine
Jun 29, 2020
Water Safety

5 Must-Have Things When Boating with Kids

Mukeshwar Singh
Jul 01, 2005
Water Safety

What doesn't go with water?

Playground Magazine
Jun 21, 2012
Water Safety

Interactive Water Features Popularity Bubbling Up

Playground Magazine
Jul 30, 2019
Water Safety

The Importance of Kids' Water Safety

Dashia Starr
Feb 09, 2021
Water Safety

5 Tips To Ensure Your Kids Are Safe In The Pool

Dennis Crowe

Water Safety Professionals

Association of Aquatic Professionals
Association of Aquatic Professionals
Organization
More
Home

Follow Us

Play and playground news and information since 2001

  • instagram
  • facebook-f
  • twitter
  • pinterest
  • linkedin

Company

  • Playground Magazine
  • Contributors
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Copyright © 2001 - 2023 Playground Professionals, LLC

Footer menu

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms and conditions