National Drowning Prevention Symposium
Miami Beach, FL - To help in the fight to lower the high drowning rate in Florida’s Miami Dade and Broward Counties, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) will hold its 8th Annual National Drowning Prevention Symposium, presented by MG International, at the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach, February 23-24, 2009.
Nationally recognized keynote speakers including U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and John Cruzat, Diversity Specialist with USA Swimming, will address what’s anticipated to be a record-breaking crowd of water safety professionals, researchers and drowning prevention advocates from across the nation.
The 2009 symposium theme, "Lighting the Way to Safer Waters," reflects the belief of NDPA and symposium host group US Swim School Association that drowning prevention is a complex public health issue which requires a multi-faceted approach to effectively reduce injuries and deaths.
The symposium will address drowning prevention in pools as well as open water bodies. Drowning remains the second leading cause of accidental death in children under 14. Between 1999 and 2007, an average of over 3,400 people drowned each year in the U.S. These incidents included toddlers who died in their own family’s swimming pools. Many adolescents and young adults drowned in lakes, rivers, oceans
and other open bodies of water due to risk-taking behaviors common in that age group.
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NDPA Symposium
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Kim Burgess, symposium co-chair and CEO of the International Swim Instructors Association, says “A highlight of the ’09 symposium will be a ‘National Showcase of Programs,’ a table-top format workshop designed to showcase the best-of-the-best in drowning prevention community awareness, education and outreach programs.”
Staffed displays will allow symposium attendees to meet program representatives, gather information, share ideas, and to learn the secrets of success of top drowning prevention programs.
The goal of the conference is to empower attendees with knowledge and materials so they can replicate successful events and educational activities in their own communities. Professionals involved in drowning prevention or health & safety, first-responders, swim instructors, medical professionals, lifeguards, product manufacturers, pool builders, and parents will find relevant and helpful information at the symposium.
Many agencies and companies have committed support to the 2009 NDPA Symposium, including MG International, the Swim-for-Life Foundation, D&D Technologies, IPSSA, USA Swimming, US Swim School Association, International Swim Instructors Association, DSG Designs, Broward Sheriff—Division of Fire Rescue, Foundation for Aquatic Injury Prevention, Safe Kids USA and many local Florida water safety advocates. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact the NDPA at (951) 659-8600 or visit the NDPA website at www.NDPA.org for details.
Online registration for the two-day symposium is now available. Early-bird registration fees start at $199 through January 9. Registration fees after January 9 will start at $259.
For more information, registration, exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact Kristin Goffman, NDPA Administrator at (951) 659-8600 or visit www.NDPA.org. In addition to hosting the event, US Swim School Association will be providing their Spring Workshop designed for swim instructors at the Deauville Beach Resort February 19-21, 2009, preceding the symposium. For more information, contact Sue Mackie, US Swim School Association Executive Director at (phone number) or SueMackie@usswimschools.org.
Nationally recognized keynote speakers including U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and John Cruzat, Diversity Specialist with USA Swimming, will address what’s anticipated to be a record-breaking crowd of water safety professionals, researchers and drowning prevention advocates from across the nation.
The 2009 symposium theme, "Lighting the Way to Safer Waters," reflects the belief of NDPA and symposium host group US Swim School Association that drowning prevention is a complex public health issue which requires a multi-faceted approach to effectively reduce injuries and deaths.
The symposium will address drowning prevention in pools as well as open water bodies. Drowning remains the second leading cause of accidental death in children under 14. Between 1999 and 2007, an average of over 3,400 people drowned each year in the U.S. These incidents included toddlers who died in their own family’s swimming pools. Many adolescents and young adults drowned in lakes, rivers, oceans
and other open bodies of water due to risk-taking behaviors common in that age group.
- more -
NDPA Symposium
Page 2
Kim Burgess, symposium co-chair and CEO of the International Swim Instructors Association, says “A highlight of the ’09 symposium will be a ‘National Showcase of Programs,’ a table-top format workshop designed to showcase the best-of-the-best in drowning prevention community awareness, education and outreach programs.”
Staffed displays will allow symposium attendees to meet program representatives, gather information, share ideas, and to learn the secrets of success of top drowning prevention programs.
The goal of the conference is to empower attendees with knowledge and materials so they can replicate successful events and educational activities in their own communities. Professionals involved in drowning prevention or health & safety, first-responders, swim instructors, medical professionals, lifeguards, product manufacturers, pool builders, and parents will find relevant and helpful information at the symposium.
Many agencies and companies have committed support to the 2009 NDPA Symposium, including MG International, the Swim-for-Life Foundation, D&D Technologies, IPSSA, USA Swimming, US Swim School Association, International Swim Instructors Association, DSG Designs, Broward Sheriff—Division of Fire Rescue, Foundation for Aquatic Injury Prevention, Safe Kids USA and many local Florida water safety advocates. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contact the NDPA at (951) 659-8600 or visit the NDPA website at www.NDPA.org for details.
Online registration for the two-day symposium is now available. Early-bird registration fees start at $199 through January 9. Registration fees after January 9 will start at $259.
For more information, registration, exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact Kristin Goffman, NDPA Administrator at (951) 659-8600 or visit www.NDPA.org. In addition to hosting the event, US Swim School Association will be providing their Spring Workshop designed for swim instructors at the Deauville Beach Resort February 19-21, 2009, preceding the symposium. For more information, contact Sue Mackie, US Swim School Association Executive Director at (phone number) or SueMackie@usswimschools.org.
posted by Pool Guard at
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