Onvida Health - Water Safety Workshops

Onvida Health, in partnership with the GYWSA, is hosting free monthly Water Safety Workshops to help parents and caregivers feel more confident around water. These hands-on sessions cover essential water safety tips, CPR demonstrations, and practical skills to prevent drownings.

What you’ll learn:

• How to recognize and respond to a water emergency
• Hands-on CPR training for water-related incidents
• Practical tips to keep kids and families safe near pools, lakes, and rivers
• The importance of life jackets.

Plus, every participant will receive a child-sized, Coast Guard-approved life vest and educational materials to take home!

This initiative was made possible through the Foundation of Onvida Health’s Shark Tank program, which funds innovative ideas that enhance community health and safety. 

Spots are limited to 30 participants per class! Register now by emailing watersafety@onvidahealth.org. 

Unless otherwise noted, all classes are held from 10 – 11 a.m. at the Onvida Health Administrative Building (2400 S Avenue A).

• Thursday, September 25, 2025
• Tuesday, October 21, 2025
• Tuesday, November 18, 2025
• Tuesday, December 16, 2025

Exceptional Community Hospital – First Aid &CPR Training

Learn how to save a life with free First Aid and CPR training! Expert instructors will teach you the skills you need to respond to emergencies and give you the confidence to act in a crisis. Don't miss out on this valuable opportunity! RESERVE your spot today!

Contact Lisa Brazeel at Lisa.brazeel@ehc24.com for further information.

The City of Yuma Fire and Police departments, in partnership with the United Yuma Firefighters Charity, will facilitate free CPR classes throughout the year.

Next Workshop - Stay Tuned for more details!

Arizona Western College

AWC offers CPR Training (at a nominal cost) for the general public, which includes CPR training for infants, children and Adults. To Register, please contact AWC at 928-317-6452. Click here for more information: Arizona Western College

Drowning can happen to any family. It’s quick, and it’s silent. Drowning is the single-leading cause of death among children aged 1-4, and a top cause of death among teens.

The Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance was formed in the fall of 2023 to raise awareness around the importance of water safety, promote water safety education and reduce the number drownings in the Yuma community.

The Greater Yuma Water Safety Alliance aims to create a safer environment for all, ensuring that the community can enjoy the benefits of water without the dangers that come with it.

The alliance consists of community leaders, healthcare professionals, water safety experts, public safety representatives and concerned citizens who are dedicated to educating the public about the importance of drowning prevention, water safety, and emergency preparedness in and around bodies of water.

Current members/agencies include:

• City of Yuma – City Council & Administration, Parks & Recreation
• City of Yuma Fire Department
• City of Yuma Police Department
• Yuma County - Yuma County Public Health Services District
• Onvida Health
• Prison Hill Liquid Foundation
• Exceptional Community Hospital - Yuma
• Regional Center for Border Health 
• Sunset Health 
• City of San Luis
• City of Somerton
• Town of Wellton

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children. While children are at higher risk, anyone can drown.

• Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of injury related death for children up to age 14. 
• 44 children died from drowning In Arizona in 2021.
• We lose 10 school buses worth of children to unintentional drownings per year, with the average school bus seating 80 students, resulting in an average of 854 children per year. 
• Drowning is fast and silent. It can happen in as little as 20-60 seconds. 
• 88% of child drownings occur with at least 1 adult present. 
  

Sources 

• National Drowning Prevention Association -  Press & Media Toolkit-NDPA
• AZDHS Child Fatality Review Program - 29th Annual Report
• Center for Disease Control

Water Safety & Drowning Prevention

Please note that this information is inclusive for all families and contains tips & information that is applicable to neurotypical children and children with autism.

Whether it’s bathtime, swimming, jumping in puddles or simply splashing around at the beach, water-play remains a common favorite activity among kids, especially those with autism. Unfortunately, water also carries significant risk.

Drowning Statistics

• Drowning is a leading cause of injury-related death among the general pediatric population, especially those younger than 4 and teens.
• For children with autism, the risk of drowning is 160 times that of the general pediatric population, according to a 2017 study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health
• According to a 2017 study from the National Autism Association, drowning accounts for more than 70% of wandering-related fatalities

Given this data, it is extremely important to enroll your child into swimming lessons as early as possible.

For more information, visit Water Safety | Drowning Prevention - National Autism Association.

Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.

Employ layers of protection including barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision of children to prevent drowning.

Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.

Press & Media Toolkit-NDPA

Water Safety | American Red Cross

Drowning is the single leading cause of death for children 1-4, and sadly, 70% of drownings among young children happen during non-swim times. Drowning happens quickly and quietly, in as little as 2 inches of water within 30 seconds.

There is no single way to prevent drowning, but you can arm yourself with the necessary prevention methods by learning the 5 Layers of Protection. Each layer should be used together when in or around water to help reduce the risk of drowning.

Barriers & Alarms

Since you can’t always keep your eyes on the water, it’s essential to use four-sided fencing with self-closing, self-latching gates, pool safety covers, and alarm systems to help prevent children and unauthorized adults from accessing water unsupervised.

Supervision

Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings with close, constant, and capable adult supervision from a designated water watcher or lifeguard anytime children are in or around water. 

Water Competency (Swim Skills)

Every child and adult should be equipped with the skills to protect themselves in water by learning and enhancing their basic water safety skills to reduce the risk of drowning and aquatic-related injuries.

The American Association of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends starting swim lessons as early as age 1, you should always speak with your pediatrician before considering any water safety or swimming lessons for children.

Life Jackets

When used appropriately, life jackets protect you when you are not expecting to be in the water, especially around open water. U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) tested and approved life jackets should be worn by everyone in or around open water, especially when boating.

Emergency Preparation

Knowing how to prepare for an emergency with CPR training with rescue breaths, and basic water rescue skills can make the difference between life and death. If you ever encounter a victim who is not breathing, ALWAYS call 911 before trying to perform CPR with rescue breaths.

Proper training and certification for CPR need to be refreshed about every 1-2 years, especially if there are recent changes in recommendations.

 

 Learn the 5 Layers of Protection (ndpa.org)