NFL Wives Association and Partners Launch Critical Water Safety Initiative in New Orleans

Nearly 200 children gathered at Tulane University's Reily Center on February 4th for a comprehensive water safety and CPR training event, marking a significant step in a nationwide effort to reduce drowning deaths and improve emergency response capabilities in communities across the country.

The event, organized by the Off the Field National Football League Wives Association in partnership with the American Heart Association, USA Swimming Foundation, and YMCA of the USA, represents the second installment of a planned expansion to all 32 NFL markets, following a successful launch in Cincinnati last May.

The initiative addresses a critical public health concern, as drowning remains the leading cause of unintentional death for children aged 1-4 in the United States and the second leading cause for children under 14, according to CDC data. The disparity in swimming abilities among minority communities is particularly stark, with 45% of Hispanic/Latino children and 64% of African American children having little to no swimming ability.

Four-time Olympic medalist Cullen Jones, who nearly drowned as a child before becoming the first African American to hold a world record in swimming, led the in-water clinic. The program provided essential skills such as safe pool exit techniques, back-floating, and helping others in distress. Research from the National Institute of Health indicates that just one month of swimming lessons can reduce drowning risk by 88%.

The event also focused on critical CPR training, addressing another significant public health challenge. According to the American Heart Association, 9 out of 10 people who experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals die, partly due to delayed CPR response. The training emphasized both Hands-Only CPR for adults and traditional CPR with rescue breaths for children and drowning emergencies.

The initiative's significance extends beyond immediate water safety education. Studies show that if a parent cannot swim, there is only a 19% chance their child will learn to swim, perpetuating a cycle of risk in many communities. By providing free access to water safety education and CPR training, the program aims to break this cycle and create generational change in at-risk communities.

The YMCA of New Orleans will provide participating students with additional swimming lessons through their Safety Around Water program, ensuring long-term skill development and water safety competency. This comprehensive approach demonstrates a sustained commitment to reducing drowning risks and improving emergency response capabilities in communities nationwide.