Swimming survival programs credited with saving many lives

Swimming survival programs can prevent drowning just as well as immunization protects against disease, says the World Health Organization in its first report on the issue.

The comparison by the prestigious global health agency is a huge shot in the arm for Ontario’s Swim to Survive program, celebrating its 10th anniversary Thursday, says the Lifesaving Society.

“The WHO’s report and its identification of swimming survival programs as an important drowning prevention tool is big news for us,” said Barb Byers of the Lifesaving Society. “Basically, it gives us the credentials to expand the program to other provinces.”

See The Star