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Two Dayton rec centers host world’s largest swimming lesson

DAYTON — Two Dayton recreation centers hosted the 2018 World's Largest Swimming Lesson this morning.

The Greater Dayton and Lohrey Recreation Centers taught basic water safety reminding everyone that learning to swim helps prevent drowning. More than 41,000 swimmers in 27 countries on six continents participated in 2017.

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According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning remains the leading cause of injury related death for children ages one to four, and the second leading cause for children under 14. Internationally, the World Health Organization estimates drowning is one of the top five causes of death for children ages one to 14 in 48 of the 85 countries it monitors.

"The earlier you introduce kids to the water, the greater chance of survival," said Ian Morgan, the Head Life Saving Instructor for the City of Dayton. "When you enter a kid into water and teach them swim lesson one through four, you reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent."

In a 2014 survey completed by the American Red Cross, results indicated 54 percent of Americans either can't swim or don't have all of the basic swimming skills.

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Other results show parents do not recognize that supervision is key.

According to a 2016 Safe Kids Worldwide report, despite the fact that lack of supervision played a role in the majority of drowning deaths, less than half of parents (49 percent) indicated they remain within arms' reach of their child in the water.

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