• Learn to swim. The best thing you can do to stay safe in and
  around the water is to learn to swim—and it’s never
  too late.
• Only swim where there is a lifeguard on duty.
• Never swim alone. — Read and follow all
  rules and signs.
• Constantly watch children in and near
  the water. If multiple adults are
  in the vicinity, designate a “water watcher”
  so everyone knows who is “on duty.”
• Keep children who cannot swim within arm's reach of an adult in the water.
• Children and inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.
• Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.
• Enter water feet first unless in a designated diving area. ▼

YS HELPING YS
YMCA World Service raises awareness of and financial support for the transformative work of YMCAs globally. Founded in 1889, just 45 years after the founding of the first YMCA in London, YMCA World Service unites Ys across continents in their common mission to serve their communities.
    YMCAs in the U.S. provide both technical and financial support to assist Ys overseas, with many Ys forming one-to-one relationships and exchanges benefitting both organizations. U.S. YMCAs are able to engage staff, volunteers, members, partners and the community; promote and learn from international engagement, and gain insights regarding programming and outreach in an
YMCAs in Sierra Leone, Europe or Latin America may be dealing with different circumstances and with different challenges and resources, but they have much to teach their U.S. colleagues and each other helping individuals, youth and families live healthier, fuller lives.
    Says Harold Mezile, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis, "From a global perspective and strategy, supporting YMCA World Service benefits our local community as well as strengthens our global [YMCAs]. When we act collectively, we have unlimited potential for the YMCA to impact the world." ▼