GREATER PENSACOLA AQUATIC CLUB

Community Outreach

GPAC wants to be an active part of the community through our swim efforts. 

We take part in Manna Food Bank canned food drives and Toy Drives like Toys For Tots.  We also offer swim education with our Water Safety Tips (below), links to other water safety information (below) and we offer discounted and free swim lessons for those in need. 

Our biggest project is the Pensacola Water Safety Days. GPAC is one of the founding member of Water and Youth Safety, Pensacola, a non profit (501C3) whose focus in teaching 2nd grade students water safety through in school presentations coupled with a field trip to the pool to learn practical stills.  Pensacola Water Safety Days are currently held twice each year.  You can learn more about this event by visiting the website or the facebook page. 

Water Safety Tips
from The Greater Pensacola Aquatic Club

Learn How to Swim –Learn to swim before you go into the water. Sounds silly, but many people think it will come naturally, and it really doesn’t. Drowning is the number ONE cause of accidental deaths among children and the number TWO cause among people 15 to 44 years of age. Many organizations in and around Pensacola offer swimming lessons all year long, contact one today!

Be Careful around Water – Nearly 2/3rds of America’s drowning victims never intended to be in the water. Be especially cautious of small child who wander away. Children have a natural curiosity and attraction to water.

Swim near a Lifeguard – Pools typically have lifeguards but nearby lakes, rivers and some beaches do not. These individuals are trained to help you if you get into trouble.

Never Swim Alone – Using the buddy system works in the water as well. A buddy can call for help or even save your life themselves.

Safety Rules! - Set water safety rules for your family (for example, never enter the water without approval from your parents).

TOO’S – Keep in mind the the "dangerous too's" - too cold, too far from safety, too tired, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

Wear a Life Jacket – If you are not a good swimmer or if you are boating, kayaking or canoeing wear your Life Jacket.

Be Aware – Be aware of your surroundings. The beach has many more dangers than your backyard pool. Currents can change quickly. If you are not an expert swimmer, stay close to shore or in waist-level water. Be on guard for large waves, rip tides/undertows and hazardous animals, such as jellyfish.

Don’t Dive - Always enter the water feet first. Every year, diving accidents result in more than 8,000 people suffering paralyzing spinal cord injuries and another 5,000 dying before they reach the hospital. All too often, hidden dangers lurk beneath the surface of the water, including rock outcrops or shallow water.

Reach, Throw, Row, Go – This is a simple way to remind yourself of how to help a possible victim of drowning. Try to reach an object like a rope or a pole to them and pull them to safety. Try to throw them something that floats, preferably something with a rope attached like a ring buoy or rescue tube. If you are near open water you can row a canoe or kayak to them. If you are a good swimmer and the other options did not work, go to them, and bring a
floatation device strong enough to support you both, a struggling swimmer can take you under with them. Position the device so that it stays between you and the victim as you float to safety.

Stay Sober – Nearly ½ of the people who drown yearly in America have consumed alcohol prior to swimming.

Click here for a downloadable version.

Additional Water Safety Material
(Some materials are in portrait view. To view, Right Click on your screen and rotate view.)

Pool Safely

Parent & Caregiver Home Safety

Broward County Water Safety

Houston Y Water Wise

IPSSA Pool Safetyhttps://facebook.com/gpacswimteam