Safer Waters in Memory of Nicholas

SWIM ON Foundation was created in 2018 by Kim and Lisa McMullin to prevent any family from having to suffer the loss of a child to drowning as they did when their son Nicholas drowned at age 22 months and they experienced a painful reality. Too many children drown! Drowning is the LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH for children ages 1 to 4 (significantly ahead of motor vehicles - more than motor vehicles, fires and poisoning combined) and second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 5 to 9. For every fatal drowning, another 8 children are rushed to the Emergency Room. Forty percent of those children are admitted to the hospital and many suffer life changing disabilities. Nor are these statistics limited to childhood. Teens have the second highest rate of drowning. These numbers CAN be changed. Drowning is the most preventable accident. By using the five layers of protection - Swim lessons, Adult supervision, Fences and barriers, Emergency preparedness and Regulation flotation - we can keep kids SAFER and prevent drowning. SWIM ON Foundation was created to change the numbers by raising awareness of the risks of drowning and of the layers of prevention that prevent drowning.      

Tragic as the statistics are, the numbers are worse for African Americans.  More than 60% lack water competency and disproportionate rates of drowning are the result.   SWIM ON Foundation is working to provide lessons  in North County, swim lessons which can reduce childhood drowning by 88%.  British Swim School, a premier lesson provider with a focus on water safety is giving lessons to children - and adults - in the Hazelwood and Ferguson Florissant school districts.  SWIM ON Foundation is giving tuition assistance to the more than 100 enrollees.  Knowing how to swim is a life skill like knowing how to read - and a skill that can save a life.  

Since inception, SWIM ON Foundation has developed a robust website, created videos on the layers of protection, and materials to distribute such as an informational trifold, a bath safety brochure, a kids' activity sheet, a checklist for babysitters and a water watcher badge that designates the person committed to attentive supervision. 

In addition, we have developed presentations for adults, preschoolers, and elementary and middle school kids. Several features in print and on radio have promoted our messages about drowning and the ways to prevent drowning. We are members of national drowning prevention organizations. The expertise and support of the Board and Advisory Board further the mission.

In 2021, we conducted our "Learn to Swim" media campaign directed primarily toward the Black community encouraging swim lessons which can reduce drowning by 88%. 

   

 In 2022, we had a "Now You Know" campaign of radio ads with some of the surprising statistics relating to drowning. 

We also implemented the Annie Initiative to promote CPR with wallet cards with CPR information and a program of CPR Parties at people's homes.  

 SWIM ON Foundation is also working with Missouri State Parks to prevent drowning in our parks.