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BACKGROUND: Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death to children and youth. There is some evidence that swimming lessons significantly reduce drowning risk. Based on small research projects, there appears to be a relationship between swim ability and socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity. Because population level data on swim ability are not available, it has been difficult to target drowning prevention efforts. The purpose of this analysis was to verify the relationship between swim ability and socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity and to examine the relationship between swim ability and life jacket use while on a small boat.
METHODS: The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey is administered to students in grades 6, 8, 10 and 12. Students answered questions about a variety of health behavior topics including safety and violence, physical activity and diet, alcohol, tobacco and other drug use, and related risk and protective factors. In 2014, students in grades 8, 10 and 12 were asked about their ability to swim using two questions: 1) have taken formal swim lessons, and 2) how comfortable they feel in water over their head. Socioeconomic status variables include mother’s education, frequency of visiting a doctor or dentist, and current living situation. Associations between swim ability and socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity and life jacket use while in a small boat was examined for significance using chi-squares.
RESULTS: The data used are preliminary and embargoed until March 2015. Using the preliminary data, 40% of 6th graders, 36% of 8th graders, 37% of 10th graders, and 34% of 12th graders reporting having no formal swim lessons. Among 10thgraders, there was a strong association between the two swim ability questions. White students were most likely to report having formal swim lessons and feeling comfortable in water over their head while those with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to report these. Those who felt uncomfortable in water over their head were more likely to report always wearing a life jacket while on a small boat.
CONCLUSIONS: Population level data on youth’s swim ability support smaller scale research findings. Race and ethnic differences exist in youth’s reports of having taken formal swim lessons and feeling comfortable in water over their head. This information will be useful to target tailored prevention programs. Prevention messages about life jacket use while boating should encourage this regardless of swim ability.