Drowning Prevention Seminars for Lifeguards

NEWS RELEASE: DBCH Releases 2016 Drowning Prevention Schedule

The Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health released its 2016 Drowning Prevention Seminars for Lifeguards schedule today. For more than 20 years, these seminars have been provided for lifeguards and residents to raise their awareness of what a swimmer in the process of drowning looks like.

“Our Drowning Prevention Seminars provide valuable information to help people quickly identify swimmer distress and respond,” said Commissioner Henry M. Kurban, MD, MBA, MPH, FACPM. “Attendees will gain knowledge on what to look for when someone is drowning. Drowning often occurs silently and may be misinterpreted as someone who is playing in the water. A distressed swimmer often cannot call out for help, because the body is concentrating on trying to breathe.”

These seminars are open to lifeguards and persons who have supervision responsibilities for swimming activities, as well as members of the general public who are interested in increasing their knowledge regarding this important public health concern. All participants who successfully complete the program will be awarded a certificate of attendance.

“Previous participants have shared with us how much they valued the information they learned,” said Kurban. “They were able to identify individuals in distress in the early stages of drowning and were able to react quicker, thus helping to save lives.”

The presentation will offer guidance for supervising swimmers, how to identify swimmers in distress, an informative video on drowning victim recognition and a time to discuss lifeguard duties and responsibilities as they relate to Department of Behavioral & Community Health regulations.

Seating for the seminars is limited. To make a reservation, please contact the Department, Monday–Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at (845) 486-3480 or by e-mail to HealthInfo@DutchessNY.gov. Facilities interested in setting up a training session for lifeguards or members of a homeowners’ association may also contact the Department.

The Department kindly asks for any requests for information to be directed to the Department and not the seminar sites.

The schedule may also be found in the Department of Behavioral & Community Health’s Online Calendar (List View). Visit DutchessNY.gov and select the calendar icon. A printable pdf of the schedule is also available. Please check back often as additional dates may have been added or locations/times changed after publication.

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DUTCHESS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL & COMMUNITY HEALTH
2016 DROWNING PREVENTION SEMINAR SCHEDULE
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All seminars are free and open to the public.
Reservations required.
RSVP to (845) 486-3480 at least 2 days prior to the event.
Please do not call the seminar site.

Thursday, May 12, 2016 at 7:00 PM

BARD COLLEGE – Weis Cinema, Campus Center

Campus Road, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 at 3:30 PM

ALL SPORT FISHKILL

17 Old Main Street, Fishkill, NY 12524

Friday, May 20, 2016 at 4:30 PM

POUGHKEEPSIE MIDDLE SCHOOL

55 College Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Friday, May 27, 2016 at 10:00 AM

RED WING PARK

11 Old Farm Road (Off Rt. 82), Hopewell Jct, NY 12533