Drowning Prevention Coalition of El Paso raises water safety awareness

The Drowning Prevention Coalition held their annual news conference Thursday to raise awareness about the importance of water safety. Lifeguard water safety demonstrations were performed and local organizations spoke about what they are offering to help save lives, including the El Paso Fire Department. They will be offering free CPR classes this Saturday at Ascarate Park.

” So we are going to be doing free CPR classes. There’s going to be all sorts of family fun, uh jumping balloons, our chiefs are going to be cooking for everyone, it’s gonna be completely free. This Saturday from 9 AM to uh 1 PM,” says Enrique Aguilar of the El Paso Fire Department.

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, there have been 20 child drownings in the past 10 years in El Paso. That is why it’s important to get your child acquainted with the water now that the hot weather is here. T he City of El Paso’s Department of Parks and Recreation can help you do that as they offer swim lessons to children as young as 6 months old.

“Swim lessons are really important just because it’s a life preserving skill, it teaches kids how to be safe in and around the water and also for parents,” says Gethsemane Williams of El Paso Parks and Recreation.

Swim lessons from El Paso Parks and Recreation are priced at an affordable 44 dollars for 8 lessons for residents. Wet and Wild will also be offering free lessons for kids on June 20th, which they are calling the world’s largest swim lesson.

To register your child for El Paso Parks and Recreation swim lessons, click here.