Raleigh to host World's Largest Swim Lesson location to bring awareness to importance of swim lessons

Raleigh's Optimist Aquatic Center will again be one of the locations for what's called the World's Largest Swimming Lesson.

The annual international event, which marks its 10th anniversary this year, will take place over the course of 24 hours in an estimated 600 locations in more than 20 countries.

In Raleigh, it takes place from noon to 12:30 p.m., June 20. Registration starts at 11 am., and the lesson begins promptly at noon. Be sure to get there early to be registered, in position and ready to begin before the lesson begins, according to Raleigh's website. Optimist Aquatic Center is at 5902 Whittier Dr.

The event aims to bring awareness to the importance of teaching kids how to swim to help prevent drowning, according to the event's website.

About one in five people who die from drowning are children 14 and younger, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries, according to the federal agency.

Studies show that water survival skills training and swim lessons can help reduce the risk of drowning for kids ages 1 to 4, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The group recommends that children begin taking swim lessons at age 1 as a way to protect against drowning. Swim lessons for kids ages 4 and up, it says, are a must.

The group, however, also warns parents not to let their guard down around water if their child has had a few lessons. Constant, focused supervision when your child is in or near a pool or any body of water also is critical, the group says. It's also important to block access to pools when it's not time to swim. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 69% of children under the age of 5 years were not supposed to be in the water when they drowned.

When considering swim lessons for your child, the pediatricians group says parents should look for:

• Experienced and qualified instructors with current CPR and First Aid certification.
• Instruction about good safety habits in, on and near the water.
• Lessons about what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly.
• Classes that allow parents to watch the class first to ensure it's right for their child.
• Multiple sessions where children have the time to build their skills.

For kids under age 4, according to the pediatrician's group, look for programs that:

• Provide an age-appropriate atmosphere.
• Include "touch supervision," where adults are always within an arm's reach.
• Maintain water purity and proper chlorine levels.
• Keep the water warm, ideally 87 to 94 degrees.