Richard O. Jones

Seventy-five percent of all drowning victims are male, with 47 percent Black. Thirty-three percent are white, and 12 percent Latino. About 13 percent of the U.S. population are Black and about 13 percent are Latino, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Most of the Black victims -- 51 percent -- drowned in public pools. By contrast, 55 percent of white victims drowned in private pools.

There needs to be emphasis on parents and children learning to swim and other water safety procedures such as: never swim alone, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and never swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  In many Black families swimming skills tend to be viewed solely as recreational skills without big money earning potential. Unlike learning to play football or basketball swimming is a personal safety skill. No one has died from an inability to play any sport for example, but many have died from an inability to swim.

In my opinion, Black females drown much less than Black males for one reason - vanity; they're reluctant to get their hair wet and therefore enter deep water less often but still drown more than white and Latino girls. 

Lack of swimming skills among Blacks is generational. If a parent doesn't know how to swim or has knowledge of water safety it's unlikely that they'll stress the importance of these skills to their children. Parents should make sure their children learn to swim because it is as crucial as making sure they learn to cross the street safely.

Swimming is summer fun and summer is near. Swimming pools and bodies of water everywhere will be filled with Black non-swimmers. Blacks should begin to treat themselves to swimming lessons as a solo or family activity. You're never too old or too young to learn to swim, plus it's great exercise.

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