YUMA, Ariz. – The Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance (Alliance) has concluded its 2025 campaign, marking another year of lifesaving education and outreach across Yuma County. By increasing access to swimming lessons, hosting hands-on workshops, and expanding public awareness efforts, the Alliance reached hundreds of residents with resources to help prevent drowning and promote year-round water safety.
This year, the Alliance set two clear goals: expanding access to swimming lessons for infants and preschool-aged children and offering free CPR and water safety training throughout Yuma County. These efforts aimed to give families the tools they need to stay safe in and around water—from building early swimming skills to knowing how to respond in an emergency.
The Alliance’s messaging reinforced the Five Layers of Protection: barriers and alarms, water competency/swim lessons, supervision, life jackets, and emergency preparation. These messages were shared through news releases, public service announcements, social media campaigns, and community events such as Water Safety Day.
Through funding from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely Grant Program—awarded to the City of Yuma—and additional support from the Yuma County Health Services District and the Prison Hill Liquid Foundation, more than 250 local children between six months and five years old received swim lesson scholarships, giving families access to early water survival training that might otherwise be out of reach.
A major milestone for 2025 includes the introduction of Infant Self-Rescue (ISR) classes in Yuma. The program, beginning this fall, will give parents a new opportunity to enroll infants and toddlers in survival swim training designed to teach children how to roll over and float if they fall into water. With support from the Pool Safely Grant Program and the Prison Hill Liquid Foundation, costs for participating families are being reduced to make the program accessible to more children.
The Alliance also partnered with Onvida Health to host monthly water safety workshops that provided hands-on education to families, caregivers, and community members. In addition, the Yuma Fire Department, Yuma Police Department, and Exceptional Community Hospital–Yuma hosted free CPR classes throughout the year, empowering residents with the skills to respond in water-related emergencies.
The Pool Safely Grant will also fund a Certified Pool Operator (CPO) course later this month, providing technical and safety training for pool professionals across Yuma County and strengthening regional water safety standards.
The Alliance’s outreach extended beyond classrooms and workshops. Through Water Safety Wednesdays on local radio, and social media campaigns, the Alliance reminded residents that drowning is fast, silent, and preventable. Tailored guidance was also developed for families of children with disabilities, including autism, who face increased risks near water.
“This year marked a major step forward in expanding water safety education and increasing access to swim lessons and CPR training,” said Deputy City Administrator Jenn Reichelt. “Through free classes, community workshops, and the introduction of Infant Self-Rescue training in Yuma, the Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance continues to make water safety a shared responsibility—and a year-round priority.”
As the 2025 campaign concludes, the Alliance reminds residents that water safety is not seasonal. Staying vigilant year-round—whether at a pool, river, lake, or at home—remains the most effective way to prevent drowning and save lives.
For more information, resources, or upcoming training opportunities, visit yumaaz.gov/watersafety and follow the City of Yuma on social media.
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