Whether you’re a school, swim program, community organization, or family, even small actions can help raise awareness and promote safer aquatic communities. Here are a few easy ways to participate in International Water Safety Day:

Water safety is not equally accessible, and the consequences are real.

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of death for all children, and the risk is significantly higher in Black and historically underserved communities. 

Additionally, nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adult women (19.4%), compared to roughly 1 in 9 adult men (11.2%), say they don't know how to swim* 

These disparities are not coincidental. They are the result of limited access to swim education, fewer community resources, and a lack of representation in aquatics.

At Diversity in Aquatics, we’re working to change that.

Our mission is to educate, promote, and support water safety while increasing access to healthy aquatics activities in marginalized and underrepresented communities. We believe representation matters. When people see themselves in the water, they are more likely to feel confident, capable, and safe.

International Water Safety Day is a moment to raise awareness, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to take action.

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* CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2024

Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent drowning and build confidence in and around the water.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, coach, or community leader, sharing accurate, accessible water safety information can make a lasting impact. Simple conversations about supervision, swim readiness, and water awareness can help save lives.

We’ve created a collection of resources to help you get started. Use them in your community, share them with your network, or incorporate them into your programs and events.

Free & Easy Courses Through American Red Cross

• Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers (English)
• Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers (Spanish)
• Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers (Haitian Creole)

More Resources:

• Water Safety for Parents and Kids
• Diversity In Aquatics How-to Guides
• Longfellow's Whale Tales | Water Safety for Children
• K–12 Recommended Book List with Suggested Grade Levels and Free YouTube Read-Aloud Links
• Wandering Resource Guide (In Partnership with the Autism Society of America)

If you’re looking to go further, consider partnering with local organizations, hosting a water safety workshop, or bringing swim education into your school or community center. Every effort helps expand access and awareness.

Awareness drives action.

One of the easiest ways to support International Water Safety Day is by helping amplify the message. Share facts, highlight the importance of water safety, and help more people understand why this work matters.

We’ve created downloadable graphics and social content you can use to get involved. Whether you’re posting on social media, sending an email, or talking with your community, your voice helps move this forward.

Tag Diversity in Aquatics, use the campaign messaging, and encourage others to join in. The more people we reach, the more impact we can create.

Clicking the button will download a .zip file containing all resources

Awareness is the first step. Support helps us do the work.

Through your support, Diversity in Aquatics is able to expand access to water safety education, provide free and low-cost swim lessons, and invest in programs that reach communities who need them most.

This season, we’re:

• Hosting community events focused on water safety and education
• Serving adapted aquatics communities through our Adapted Aquatics Council, in collaboration with organizations such as The Autism Society of America
• Providing free water safety lessons to families
• Supporting organizations doing critical work in aquatics and community health

Your contribution helps make all of this possible.

Become an Otter Guardian Today

Water safety and water stewardship go hand in hand. Healthy aquatic communities depend on healthy waterways, clean oceans, protected ecosystems, and future generations who understand the importance of caring for the water around them.

That’s why Diversity In Aquatics is proud to partner with Blue Revolution Games and support Otter Planet, an interactive experience designed to inspire connection, curiosity, and care for our living world through play.

By becoming an Otter Guardian, you can help support a growing movement focused on environmental awareness, water conservation, and protecting the ecosystems that connect us all.

Because access to safe water starts with protecting water itself.

Explore Otter Planet, learn more about the mission, and discover new ways to engage with water safety, conservation, and community action.