Florida free swimming lessons bill would fight tide of child drowning deaths. What to know

C. A. Bridges, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·5 min read

Last month a 5-year-old Bradenton girl died of an apparent accidental drowning.

Sadly, she wasn't unusual. Florida — a state with over a million and a half swimming pools and 825 miles of beach — is the national leader in drowning deaths for children.

Florida lawmakers hope to stem that tide with bills to provide free swimming lessons for low-income families with children ages 4 and younger.

From 2018 to 2020, Florida had the highest rate of unintentional drowning deaths for children aged 1 to 4 years, the highest unintentional drowning deaths among children 0 to 9, and in 2020 saw the third-highest rate of unintentional drowning deaths for children 0-17 in the nation, according to the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least 97 children died by drowning in 2023, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Many more are left alive but with serious outcomes including brain damage and long-term disabilities, the CDC said. Nearly 40% of drowning victims who make it to an emergency room require hospitalization or transfer for further care.

"Tragically, drowning continues to be the leading cause of unintentional death for children between 1-4 years of age in our state," Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo said last June. "The Florida Department of Health encourages everyone to take steps to splash safely when enjoying the beach, pool, and other water attractions."

What is SB 544, the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program?

Introduced by Sen. Travis Huston, R-Palm Coast, and co-introduced by Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, and Sen. Lauren Book, D-Davie, SB 544 would require the FDOH to create a program to establish a network of swimming lesson instructors in each county and offer vouchers for free swimming lessons to low-income families.

The bill mandates that the FDOH must establish an application and vetting process and attempt to find at least one swimming instructor vendor in each county. Any swimming lesson instructor or company that offers lessons at a county- or municipality-controlled public pool would be required, if requested by the FDOH, to participate.

The bill allows the FDOH to ask for grants or other funding to cover costs. In January the bill was amended to provide $500,000 in nonrecurring funds to the FDOH to kick things off.

So far the bill has sailed through committees with unanimous approval each time and is on the legislative calendar for Wednesday, Feb. 14.

A companion House bill, HB 581, from Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, D-Cape Coral and co-introuced by Rep. Alina Garcia, R- Miami and Rep. Vicki L. Lopez, R-Miami, is currently in the Health & Human Services committee.

Who would be eligible for free swimming lessons in Florida?

The vouchers would be for families that:

  • Are Florida residents

  • Have an income up to 200% of the federal poverty level

  • Have one or more children ages 4 or younger.

Some of the federal poverty levels for 2023 income were $14,580 for individuals, $19,720 for a family of two, $24,860 for a family of 3 and $30,000 for a family of four. So a family of four with a household income of up to $60,000 would be able to get free swimming lessons for their 4-and-under children.

Do early swimming lessons help prevent drowning deaths?

"Swimming lessons have been found to be particularly effective in protecting children age 0-4 from drowning with one study showing that formal swimming lessons were associated with an 88 percent reduction in the risk for drowning for that population," according to an analysis of the bill by Committee on Health Policy.

"Participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning among children and young adults," said the CDC.

When would SB 544 take effect?

If passed the bill would go into effect July 1, 2024.

How can I protect my children from drowning deaths?

Awareness and planning ahead are the best ways to keep your kids safe.

  • Keep an eye on your children whenever there is open water nearby. Toddlers move fast, and even a few moments are enough for tragedy. Teach older children what to watch for in younger children.

  • Teach them to swim as early as possible. Even without this program, many YMCAs offer free classes.

  • Put a fence or barrier around your pool, at least 4 feet high without gaps or openings aside from self-latching gates. Florida law requires it.

  • Use properly fitted life jackets on them whenever swimming or boating.

  • Learn CPR.

  • Check local conditions before taking the family out to the water, such as the chances of severe weather, rough surf and rip currents.

When should my child learn to swim?

Some swimming lesson programs say that as soon as the umbilical cord falls off, a child can take swim lessons. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics has said there is no evidence that infant swim programs for children under 1 lower drowning risks as babies are not developed enough to raise their heads out of the water.

In practice, you should decide based on your particular situation and the emotional and physical developmental age of your child. Water is close to nearly all Floridians and if your child is very active and curious, the earlier the better.

"It's OK to enroll in a parent-child water play class to help your infant get used to being in the pool, though," HealthyChildren.org said. "This can be a fun activity to enjoy together."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida swimming bill would provide free instruction. What is SB 544?